Battle Mountain Soccer Targets 15-Point Scorers After Key Departures

Aspen —The wind off the Flatirons cuts sharp through the back of a neck on a late-October evening. The lights at Battle Mountain High School hum against the dark, illuminating a field where the Huskies are running drills. It’s cold enough to see breath, but the players aren’t slowing down.

That grit is the point. The 2026 Battle Mountain boys soccer team isn’t rebuilding. They’re holding the line.

Coach Dave Cope is entering his 34th season. He’s seen a lot of teams come and go in the Eagle Valley. But he says there are no rebuilding years at Battle Mountain. Just another generation ready to step up. The team’s slogan for the year is “Seguimos Aquí.” It translates to “We’re still here.” Cope told the Vail Daily it’s a nod to the resilience of the immigrant community in America. It’s also a statement about continuity.

The short version: Battle Mountain lost its best player. Jakob Methvin graduated last year. He was the all-time career scoring leader for the Huskies. He led them to their second state title in 2023 and took home the state player of the year award. Last fall, he set a single-season record with 34 goals. He’s now in his freshman season at UC Santa Barbara.

Methvin wasn’t the only one leaving. Carlos Gardea and Carlos Ventura also graduated. Cope pointed out a stark reality: those three players accounted for 86% of the team’s goals last season. The Huskies finished 11-5-2, won the Western Slope League title, and made it to the state quarterfinals. Now they have to find those goals somewhere else.

Cope said he’s not worried about the talent pool, but he is watching the numbers closely. He wants Antonio Escalara, Carlos Velasquez, and Antonio Perez to get into the teens on the points list. If they do, the Huskies will be all right.

The team opened its season on Friday with a 1-1 draw against Denver East. Escalara scored the lone goal for Battle Mountain. Velasquez, who had six goals and four assists last fall, provided the assist. It wasn’t a win, but it was a start.

Cope noted that the vibe this year is more defensive and collective. He’s relying on a staff he calls outstanding to develop the players. Joel Rabinowitz, Jim Glendining, Ali Bender, and Cam Kamin are the assistants. Cope said kids genuinely improve under their watch. He pointed to a pattern: players who spend three years on the JV team step in as starters and do a great job.

The most experienced returning starter is captain Fernando Lucero. He’s been organizing the center of the midfield for two seasons. Last year, he had two goals and six assists. Cope expects him to boost that tally this season.

The defense is a new mix of returning experience and fresh legs from the JV ranks. Battle Mountain brings back both goalkeepers from last year’s team. Luc Glendining posted a 1.89 goals-against average, while Steven Herrera sat at 2.07. They split time last season. Up front, Cope is impressed with Edgar Castenon and senior Sergio Jove, who are coming up from the JV ranks to anchor the defense. He also praised captain Alan Lopez and senior midfielder Jesus Almeraz for their play in the opener.

For five seasons, Battle Mountain has played well into November. They’ve made two state semifinals, two finals, and a quarterfinal. The Huskies are used to the long haul. But Cope is clear: they won’t benefit from that reputation this year. They have to earn it again, match by match.

Methvin is in California now. The 34-goal season is history. The 86% statistic is a ghost hanging over the roster. But Cope doesn’t look at it as a deficit. He looks at it as a test.

The Huskies are still here.