I was real happy covering the State Championships for 3A, 4A, and 5A soccer in Colorado this year.  The games were to be held at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, where the Colorado Rapids play, so it was a stadium I was very familiar with.

Weather was suppose to be bad, but other than the skies being overcast, and the air being a little brisk, it looked like it was going to be a pretty good day for some soccer.  On my way over from Arvada to Commerce City to the stadium it was kind of spitting rain.  So when I got to the park, I had to make a decision.  I really wanted to set up a goal camera remote, but if it was raining, I did not want to do that.  So, I made the decision to not set up the remote.  Boy, I am glad I made that choice.

The game started, and it did not take lone for some slush to start falling.  And soon after the slush, it started to hail.  Just little hail pellets were falling, but the temperature had started to fall, and by halftime it was snowing.  And that was just the beginning.

When Kent Denver and Colorado Academy took the pitch, the game looked pretty well matched, but when the hail and snow started to fall, play started to get a little sloppy.  Players started to slow down, the balls were getting very slick, and more than a few players were falling down due to the slick grass on the pitch.

But, despite the poor conditions, Colorado Academy went up 1-0 over Kent Denver by halftime.  The snow would start to let up a bit, but then it would come back harder.  Clouds were really affecting things too….dark clouds would roll through, dropping lighting of the stadium to a point that they had to turn on the Rapids game lights.

The second half went scoreless, and at the end of the game, Colorado Academy had captured the 3A soccer state championship over Kent Denver.  The last two photos bellow are of the celebration that ensued after the final whistle as viewed from the press box.

So, enjoy photos from the game, and to view and purchase more, please visit MaxPreps.com.