Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The Steamboat Springs High School soccer team kept its playoff life in its hands Saturday, beating Colorado Academy, 3-0.

The win improves Steamboat to 8-4-1 overall and 5-3 in the Western Slope League. It also means Steamboat controls its own destiny entering the final week of the regular season.

With three of the five playoff spots in the league set, Steam­boat can secure a bid by winning its last two games.

Battle Mountain, Mullen and Montrose have clinched playoff spots. Mullen and Montrose factor into the league playoff scenario by how they finish in their leagues and drop into the Western Slope League for the postseason.

“It’s perfect timing,” Steam­boat coach Rob Bohl­mann said. “We feel that our group is playing consistently some of its best soccer at the right time of the year. We felt good about Thurs­day, and we felt good about (Saturday). That leaves us with a lot of confidence going into the game with Eagle Valley.”

Steamboat next plays at 6:30 p.m. Tues­day at Eagle Valley. The team then wraps up the regular season at 3:30 p.m. Thurs­day at Moffat County.

If Steamboat wins both those, the team will qualify for the playoffs.

But before the team could look toward those scenarios, it played a must-win game Saturday at Colorado Academy.

Continuing its strong play from Thursday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Battle Mountain, Steamboat managed the game Saturday and had the run of play.

The Sailors took a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute when Brandon Marr found Lance Ostrom.

Marr connected with Enrique Lopez in the 52nd and Mac Noel in the 60th for the final score.

Bohlmann said Sailors goalkeeper Joey Haight also played a big game, stopping multiple Colo­rado Academy opportunities.

“It’s exciting to have a lot to play for,” Bohlmann said. “Especially when you feel good about how you’re playing. We feel fortunate we responded the way we did. These guys are highly motivated.”