Peak Performer of the Week: Coronado's Peter Frieling models a wall, pushes Cougars to historic upset
Oct. 31—Peter Frieling largely keeps quiet off the field, but his noise on the field is what has aided the Coronado boys' soccer program.
The "best game of his life" against Durango led the Cougars to an upset over the state's top 4A seed — the first time the coaches can ever remember it happening in Colorado soccer.
He racked up 14 saves, shut out the state's top club, and did so with vibrant blond hair almost visible from back home in Colorado Springs. It added Peak Performer of the Week to his resume, as well.
"I think it was my best game ever, but I also think it was our team's best," said. "Collectively, it was the best performance I've seen from us, and I don't make all those saves if they don't stop the ones before they get to me — the ones I wouldn't have been able to save."
Each of the opportunities for Frieling was a different challenge.
As he continued to hold Durango scoreless, the coaching staff saw the momentum building. His efforts were adding to their pre-game thoughts.
Going into the 4A postseason, the Cougars eyed Durango as a possible opponent. It was a team that, despite a top seed and 15-0 record, coach Marcus Corbett thought they may match up well with.
A lot of the trust came from his keeper. And he entrusted him when the team needed a jolt before the postseason, too.
Earlier in the year, with Cañon City coming to town, and the team on a winless streak of six matchups — only a tie to Discovery Canyon keeping them from being losses — Corbett switched it up, looking for a spark.
Frieling was put in the field, instead of his usual home in net.
He proceeded to score a pair of goals and notched another assist to lead the team's 5-0 win over the Tigers and ignite a five-game win streak to end the regular season.
Frieling ignites, but comforts just as well.
"Our game plan most of the time is just to keep teams out of the box, because we know Peter can save all of the other ones," senior and captain Nathan Hurt said. "It's nice knowing we can make small mistakes and he'll be there to clean it up. It makes the job easier when you can mess up, then fix it on the next possession."
In 14 games, Frieling faced 92 shots this year and allowed just 18 goals, holding opponents to a shade over a goal per game.
The Cougars will be an underdog once more against Battle Mountain in the second round, a 16- on 32-seed matchup.
Scoring will be the focus, because a wall in net has allowed Coronado to translate momentum and confidence into wins, matching the team's preseason goal of advancing in the postseason and winning another league title.
Check both off the to-do list, with new goals being added each round.
