A powerhouse has emerged in 4A boys soccer, and they have the hardware to prove it.
The Air Academy Kadets earned their second consecutive state title on Saturday, taking down the North Denver Vikings in a 2-0 shutout.
The Kadets wasted no time getting on the board. In the 5th minute of play, Adin Schwenke broke up a Vikings play at mid-field and sent a through ball to forward Thaddaeus Dewing. Dewing took on three defenders, as he moved toward the goal, before dumping it off to Luke Louthan–who ripped one to the far side of the net, giving Air Academy the 1-0 lead.
The Kadets would extend their lead in the 2nd half, just a couple minutes into the start of the half.
Dewing was left unmarked in the box, off a Kadets corner kick, and put away a header to the top corner of the goal. That would be the final goal of the match, with Air Academy earning back to back state titles.
“That’s one of the main things our coaches talked about every year–just adding to the legacy. That’s our goal. We’d come in to every year willing to put in 100% in practice every day to do that,” said Senior Forward Luke Louthan.
“It’s a big field. I don’t think any team is used to the size or the heat–because of playing at night,” Junior forward Thaddaeus Dewing pointed out. “So just wanted to work and outwork the other team and play to the best of our ability. I think we did that,” he added.
“We definitely played the best game that we played all season,” said Senior goalie Thomas Beatty. “Just being able to cap off my senior year of soccer, after all four years, this way–is just fantastic.”
This year’s squad will graduate seven seniors.
