Seniors Push Laramie Plainsmen Past Cheyenne Central

Senior Day ended with sweet, sweet victory for the Laramie Plainsmen Thursday night at Deti Stadium. Laramie beat top-ranked Cheyenne Central 4-2.

The second-ranked Plainsmen took the lead for good in the 30th minute of play. Then, two second half goals prevented any comeback by the Indians in a game that was moved up from May 3 to May 1.

Laramie head coach Dan Benford said they’ve been preparing for this game and even though it came quicker, they were ready.

“We talked about what we had to do this time to really slow them down. That’s a great team (Central) over there, and we just got them today (Monday).”

In their previous meeting on April 14, the two squads played to a 1-1 draw.

Junior Cadel Rosales scored in the 20th minute to give LHS an early 1-0 lead. Central tied it eight minutes later on a goal from Ross Elliott. The Plainsmen responded when senior Alexis Eleuterio found the back of the net in the 30th minute for a 2-1 Laramie lead. That was the score at halftime.

Senior Blake Moore put LHS ahead 3-1 when he scored in the 53rd minute of action. The Indians kept pressing forward, and it paid off when Elliott scored his second on a rocket from about 30-35 yards out.

Despite some more pressure by Central, the Plainsmen iced it when Moore split two defenders on a long run and chipped it by the keeper with 10 seconds left.

Eleuterio said to be the Indians on Senior Day feels awesome.

“This is something that I’ve been, like, dreaming since I was like a freshman. Always coming out working hard and giving the win to the team.”

He said to score in that game, “It was something special… it’s a good way to end it here (at home).”

Moore said to score twice in his final home match, “I’ve always been dreaming of this… I mean, it’s a good way to go out, but I hate not playing soccer anymore, but we’ve still got a long road ahead of us.”

Moore signed with Colorado Mesa University, in Grand Junction, Colo., earlier this year to kick for their football program.

When asked about those two seniors scoring on Senior Day, Benford said, “It’s great to see them both get goals on Senior Day. It’s great for the team, though, bigger than that, and I think they’ll both tell you that. We’re not done yet, and we’ve got a lot more going on. We’re going to celebrate Senior Day and this win, but we’re going to get back at it Saturday.”

Laramie improved to 10-2-1 on the season and 6-2-1 in the 4A East Conference. They conclude their regular season at Cheyenne East Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m.

Benford told KOWB that if they win Saturday, the Plainsmen are guaranteed no worse than a No. 2 seed for the regional tournament next week in Cheyenne. That means two things. First, they wouldn’t have to play a ‘loser out’ match at regionals. Second, the defending champs would automatically qualify for the state tournament in Sheridan May 18-20.