COLORADO SPRINGS | Jeff Gillis scored goals in bunches as a senior at Smoky Hill.
Things haven’t changed since the Buffaloes lost in the Class 5A boys state soccer championship game last fall.
Gillis — 5A’s leading goal-scorer in the 2012 season with 21 — tallied twice during Wednesday night’s Colorado High School Coaches Association All-State Game, including the tying goal with five minutes remaining to cap the White Team’s furious comeback for a 4-4 tie with the Black Team at District 20 Stadium.
The White Team, helmed by Smoky Hill coach Kersten Mullan and bolstered by the Buffs’ contingent of Gillis, goalkeeper Grayson Heath — who played the entire game in the nets — Hamilton Pennywell and Kevin Del Mazo, trailed 2-0 just eight minutes into the game before Gillis netted his first goal before halftime.
The Black Team — which included graduated Eaglecrest midfielder Andrew Martinez — scored the first two goals of the second half as well as Battle Mountain teammates Roberto Diaz and Joe Lybarger each netted their second scores of the game to make it a 4-1 ballgame.
With just nine minutes remaining, Valor Christian’s Colton Corey scored for the White Team to make it a 4-2 game, then Highlands Ranch’s Luis Casteneda found the back of the net a minute later to cut the deficit to one.
The stage was set for Gillis — a Metro State signee who had his share of key goals during the high school season, including two game-winners in the 5A playoffs — who buried the equalizer in the 75th minute.
The All-State girls game, which did not include any Aurora players, saw the Black Team beat the White Team 3-2.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
2013 CHSCA ALL-STATE BOYS SOCCER GAME
June 26 at District 20 Stadium, Colorado Springs
WHITE 4, BLACK 4
Score by halves:
Black 2 2 — 4
White 1 3 — 4
Goals
Black: Roberto Diaz (Battle Mountain) 2, Joe Lybarger (Battle Mountain) 2; White: JEFF GILLIS (SMOKY HILL) 2, Luis Casteneda (Highlands Ranch), Colton Corey (Valor Christian)
Goalkeepers
Black: Christian Espinoza (Battle Mountain); White: GRAYSON HEATH (SMOKY HILL)
