GREENWOOD VILLAGE | There wasn’t much joy at the conclusion of Smoky Hill’s 4-2 victory over Highlands Ranch in a Class 5A girls state soccer playoff first round contest Wednesday evening.
The sixth-seeded Buffaloes finished off the 27th-seeded Falcons — becoming the only Aurora team of six playoff qualifiers to win in the first round — but the final 20 minutes made them aware that they have little margin for error if they lose focus.
Highlands Ranch made some headway in the second half, but couldn’t quite overcome a Smoky Hill team that got two goals apiece from senior Candace Cephers and freshman Sam Howshar.
Coach Andy Colella’s Buffaloes advanced to the second round where it will play host to No. 11 Liberty, a 3-0 winner over Eaglecrest. The teams are scheduled to play at 11 a.m. Saturday at Legacy Stadium.
The second round has tripped up Smoky Hill in each of the past two seasons, as it lost to Heritage 1-0 last season and Denver East the season before.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
(6) SMOKY HILL 4, (27) HIGHLANDS RANCH 2
Score by halves:
High. Ranch 1 1 — 2
Smoky Hill 3 1 — 4
Smoky Hill goals: Candace Cephers 2, Sam Howshar 2. Smoky Hill assists: Rachel Whipple 2, Howshar, Brynell Yount. Smoky Hill saves: Megan Kneefel 6.
