The Greeley West and Northridge boys soccer teams did not play each other in last year's Covid-abbreviated season and the players in Thursday night's matchup made up for lost time in a wide open, aggressive night of soccer at District 6 Stadium.
After 100 minutes of up and down soccer, the exhausted teams settled for a 1-1 draw..
Greeley West struck first in the 28th minute when senior Andy Ortiz controlled a high free ball in front of the the Northridge net. He beat the keeper and had a wide open look he didn't miss.
West held that lead until Northridge senior Usai Abdullah scored with 11:45 remaining in the match.
Both goal scorers were honored as co-MVPs when the Sam Chuenchit award was announced follwing the game.
The match featured multiple scoring opportunities for both teams. The Spartans best chance at a second score came when Austin Jones bounced a free kick off the post 10 minutes into the second half.
Both teams showed their early-season legs and their sheer exhaustion in extended time with at least a half dozen delays due to players cramping up. The Spartans finished with a flurry in front of the net but could not score before time expired.
The Spartans and the Grizzlies both have 0-1-1 records. Next up for the Spartans will be a match at Frontier Academy on Tuesday.