Scott Kaniewski

Arapahoe High School boys soccer coach Mark Hampshire knows his team can be a threat in the postseason. It’s just a matter of the team putting it all together when the playoffs begin.

“I don’t believe we’re playing our best,” Hampshire said two days before playoff brackets were released. “It’s a team that has an incredible amount of potential. When they play as a team, I don’t think there’s a team in the state that can beat them.”

During the regular season only two teams did beat the Warriors. They lost to Centennial Conference champion Cherry Creek and non-conference opponent Pine Creek. The Warriors (9-2-4) finished tied for second place in league. The playoffs opened Oct. 28, after the newspaper went to press.

“We’ll deal with what we deal with,” Hampshire said of the playoff brackets. “The ties don’t help us any and the two losses to Cherry Creek and Pine Creek, two excellent teams. But it would be nice to have home game (in the first round). We’re used to that.”

The Warriors won the Centennial League a year ago and earned a No. 4 seed for the playoffs. But the team was eliminated in a first-round upset. Hampshire knows the seeds of that loss might sting in the players on that team, but it might not worry younger players.

“You throw it out there and those year-rounds put it in the front of their brain and let it motivate you,” Hampshire said. “This is a group that needs to believe in themselves right now.”

The Warriors entered the season concerned with scoring. Adam Tormoehlen has taken care of that. The Butler University-bound player has scored seven times. Three other players have scored at least five goals for the Warriors.

“We’re not scoring as many goals as I’d like,” Hampshire said. “Some teams are putting up seven, eight goals a game. That’s not who we are. It’d be nice to get some goals scored to relieve the defense. Hopefully that will come at the right time.”

Hampshire said the defense has played well. Mac Goutell has been a “silent leader” on defense, Hampshire said. Junior midfielder Craig Ratterman has impressed in recent weeks.

“I know when they turn it on how dominant they can be,” Hampshire said. “When you get to the playoffs you’re always concerned about coming out flat and complacent. That can bite you in the rear end. The key is focus and keeping that energy level up. Hopefully they put it together when the whistle blows.”