Evergreen vs. Cheyenne Mountain: 4A Boys State Championship Preview

Evergreen vs. Cheyenne Mountain: 4A Boys State Championship Preview

Monday, May 18, 2026 | 5:00 PM | University of Denver | CHSAA 4A Boys State Championship

Evergreen and Cheyenne Mountain meet today at the University of Denver for the 4A boys lacrosse state title. The Cougars come in ranked No. 1 in 4A and No. 8 in Colorado with a 15-3 record. The Hawks are ranked No. 2 in 4A and No. 10 in Colorado at 13-6. Evergreen has the better record, the head-to-head win, and the stronger numbers across most categories. Cheyenne Mountain has the playoff experience and a defense that has held up under pressure all postseason.

Evergreen holds advantages nearly across the board. The Cougars have a better goals against average, 6.2 to Cheyenne Mountain's 7.0, a better overall record, and have gone 5-0 away from home this season compared to the Hawks' 4-4 road record. Evergreen also leads in ground balls, 730 to 615, which is a significant possession edge heading into a championship game.

Cheyenne Mountain counters with more playoff experience and a 6-1 common opponent record compared to Evergreen's 5-1. The Hawks are also 4-0 in the playoffs this season, one more playoff win than the Cougars, and have shown they can win tight games. Their only common opponent loss came against Dakota Ridge, who Evergreen beat 17-8.

The head-to-head record matters here. Evergreen beat Cheyenne Mountain 5-4 in overtime on April 1 in a non-conference game. That result shows how close these teams are and how much a single possession or save can decide the outcome.

Evergreen Players to Watch

Emmett Windley leads the Cougars with 42 goals, the highest total of any player in this matchup. Jon Alby runs the offense with 30 assists, also the top mark in this game. Chase Riemma leads the team with 138 ground balls, which is an extraordinary individual total and one of the highest ground ball numbers you will see from any player at any level in Colorado this season. That kind of production on the ground gives Evergreen a consistent possession advantage.

In goal, Cody Cain has been one of the best keepers in 4A this season. He has posted a 6.0 goals against average with 184 saves in 860 minutes and carries a 15-3 record. His save total and minutes logged show he has been relied on heavily all season and has delivered.

Cheyenne Mountain Players to Watch

Weber Rowell leads the Hawks with 38 goals and 26 assists, making him the most productive offensive player on Cheyenne Mountain's roster. Carson Kaveney leads the team with 78 ground balls and will be a key factor in whether the Hawks can compete in the possession battle against Riemma and the Evergreen midfield.

In goal, Walt Cameron has been steady all season with a 6.3 goals against average, 183 saves, and a 12-2 record in net. He has logged 707 minutes and his save total shows he has faced plenty of shots and kept the Hawks competitive throughout the year.

What to Watch

Chase Riemma is the player who could decide this game without scoring a single goal. His 138 ground balls give Evergreen a possession engine that is hard to match. If Cheyenne Mountain cannot compete on the ground, Evergreen's offense will get enough opportunities to control the game.

On the other side, Weber Rowell needs to be the best player on the field for the Hawks to win. His 38 goals and 26 assists make him Cheyenne Mountain's most dangerous weapon, and if Evergreen's defense keys in on him, the Hawks will need secondary production to keep pace.

Evergreen's 5-0 away record suggests they handle road environments well, and this neutral site game at DU should not feel foreign to them. Cheyenne Mountain's 4-0 playoff record shows they know how to win when it matters. Both teams beat the same common opponents at nearly the same rate. The head-to-head result in April, a one-goal overtime game, tells you exactly how close this one figures to be.