The 2026 season has brought a new challenge for CSCS Boys Soccer — and this group of Lions has embraced it.
After competing in 2A, Colorado Springs Christian made the move to Class 3A this season, bringing with it a significant jump in competition. The schedule has tested the Lions against bigger programs, talented opponents and teams capable of exposing every mistake. Through it all, CSCS has continued to compete, grow and show that it belongs.
With a 4-4-1 record through nine matches, the Lions’ season has already included convincing victories, standout individual performances and encouraging signs of what this program is becoming.
Responding to the Challenge
One of the most encouraging qualities of this team has been its ability to respond.
After a difficult 5-0 season-opening loss to Denver Christian, the Lions answered with a 5-2 victory over Front Range Christian. They followed that early stretch with a dominant 6-0 win over Ellicott, a 2-2 draw with Vanguard and, later, another convincing 4-1 victory over Front Range Christian.
That resilience has become an important part of this team’s identity.
The Lions have been challenged, but they haven’t backed away from those challenges. Instead, they continue to learn how to communicate, play together and compete for a full 80 minutes.
That growth was on full display against rival Woodland Park.
CSCS struck quickly, with Joshua Chippeaux scoring just two minutes into the match. Senior Judah Rogers added another only five minutes later before Ethan Nolley extended the advantage. Rogers eventually scored his second of the night to give CSCS a commanding 4-1 victory.
But perhaps the most impressive part of the performance came after halftime.
The Lions’ communication and defensive effort took another step forward, holding Woodland Park without a single shot on goal during the second half. Goalkeeper Sean Law pointed to the team’s communication as a major reason for the defensive performance, while Rogers described the victory as a product of the team’s determination.
It was the kind of complete team performance that demonstrates just how far this group has come.
Lions Stepping Forward
The season has also produced some outstanding individual performances.
Rogers has emerged as an important offensive presence for the Lions. His two goals against Woodland Park brought him to eight goals on the season, while his leadership and competitive presence have helped set the tone for CSCS.
On the other end of the field, Law has been outstanding in goal.
The junior goalkeeper recorded 15 saves in CSCS’s 4-1 victory over Front Range Christian and followed it with a career-high 16 saves against SkyView Academy. Those performances earned Law recognition from The Gazette as one of the area’s notable prep athletes of the week.
Those performances build on a strong foundation for both players. Following the 2025 season, Rogers was selected to The Gazette’s All-Area First Team, while Law earned Second Team honors. CSCS also had Haziel Gallardo and Trey Tanaka receive honorable mention recognition.
But this season has been about much more than individual statistics.
Against Woodland Park, Rogers pointed to the connection between the JV and varsity groups after JV rallied from a 4-2 deficit to win 5-4 before the varsity match. With several players contributing across both groups, the night became a picture of a program competing for and supporting one another.
Proving They Belong
Perhaps one of the clearest examples of the challenge — and opportunity — that comes with competing in 3A came against The Classical Academy.
CSCS entered the match facing a TCA program ranked significantly higher by MaxPreps, yet the Lions battled for 80 minutes and allowed just one goal in a narrow 1-0 loss.
The scoreboard didn’t fall the Lions’ way, but performances like that matter.
Moving up a classification isn’t supposed to be easy. The competition gets stronger. The margin for error gets smaller. Every match demands more.
And that’s exactly why there is so much to be encouraged about with this team.
At 4-4-1, the Lions aren’t defined simply by the four wins or four losses. They’re a team learning how to compete at a new level — and demonstrating that they are capable of doing it.
As a school community, we are incredibly proud of the way these young men continue to represent CSCS. We see their work. We see their resilience. We see the way they support one another, respond to adversity and continue competing when the challenge gets bigger.
Most importantly, we’re proud of the way they are striving to represent Christ through their effort, their attitude and the way they carry themselves on and off the field.
There is plenty of soccer still to be played in 2026.
The move to 3A has raised the level of competition.
And these Lions are rising to meet it.