During the Falcons’ 10-9 regular-season win in overtime against Pasadena Poly last season, Sakonju broke with the routine and inserted Colvin in the place of a struggling Mock early in the first quarter.
“Even though he was alternating quarters he would come in just as focused as when he left, he’s not the type of guy that has to warm up for a game, mentally or physically, he’s ready to go at the beginning of game time,” Sakonju says. “Rane wasn’t going to play the first quarter [against Poly] but we went to him two minutes in and he came in and finished the game outstanding.”
Colvin went on to have an all-league and All-Area caliber season, capped by a run of strong playoff performances, including seven saves in the clincher that saw him help stave off Rio Mesa in the fourth quarter.
In this year’s playoffs, things have changed a bit, with the defending-champion Falcons now wearing the targets on their backs. The Falcons have seemed to cruise through the second round and quarters, winning by an average of nine goals per match, but they remain humble and hungry.
“We’re working just as hard, it’s just different because everyone’s looking to beat us,” Colvin says. “We’re confident, not cocky.”
The Falcons have a chance to continue their historic run with a win today, an opportunity which Colvin appreciates.
“It means a lot,” Colvin says of the chance to defend the program’s firs-ever CIF title. “We’re playing our rival Rio Mesa, so it should be pretty fun. Everybody wants to beat them.”
