GREENWOOD VILLAGE | Brynell the Bruin Slayer struck again Tuesday.
For the second straight season, Smoky Hill sophomore Brynell Yount scored the game-winning goal to lift the Buffaloes past Cherry Creek.
Yount’s strike in the 63rd period of Tuesday’s Centennial League contest with the Bruins stood up in a 1-0 victory at Stutler Bowl that delivered the league championship for the Buffaloes.
Sophomore goalie Megan Kneefel made one last outstanding save in the closing minutes to preserve the victory for coach Andy Colella’s Smoky Hill team, which matched the Centennial League title won by the school’s boys soccer team in the fall.
The Buffaloes — who also beat Cherry Creek 3-2 last season with Yount’s goal as the difference — improved to 10-1-1 overall and 6-0 in league play. They won the program’s first girls Centennial League championship since 2004 and locked up what is likely a top-five seed in the upcoming Class 5A state playoffs.
The Bruins, meanwhile, dropped to 7-4-1, 4-2-1.
Kneefel saved all eight shots she faced, including three of the high-level variety, to record her third shutout of the season.
Cherry Creek keeper Alex Kahalley also had a shutout going into the second half and had just denied Smoky Hill freshman Sam Howshar with a diving save when Yount struck.
Taking advantage of Kahalley coming a bit off her line, Yount got the ball from teammate Candace Cephers about 20 yards out in tight space and curled a shot into the top corner of the net for her third goal of the season.
Kahalley denied Howshar’s long big for an insurance goal a few minutes later with an over-the-shoulder tip save and the Bruins turned up the pressure on the other end.
Kneefel prevented the equalizer, including a fully outstretched save with three minutes left.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
SMOKY HILL 1, CHERRY CREEK 0
Score by halves:
Cherry Creek 0 0 — 0
Smoky Hill 0 1 — 1
SCORING
Second half — Smoky Hill: Brynell Yount (Candace Cephers), 63rd minute
