COLORADO SPRINGS — John McCaffrey helped extend Fountain Valley’s improbable season with a late goal to beat visiting Basalt 1-0 on Thursday and advance the Danes to the 3A state semifinals.

McCaffrey headed a crossing pass from senior Lukas Langer into the upper right corner of the net with 17 minutes left in regulation to set off a wild celebration by Fountain Valley students.

“Nobody at the school expected us to be this good,” said McCaffrey, a junior from Pueblo. “We’ve come a long way.”

McCaffrey and Langer – a native of Germany – are the only returning starters from last year’s state runner-up team. So a return to the final four didn’t seem likely, especially after the Danes lost their first two games.

Inexperience, a lack of chemistry and a new coach all contributed to the slow start. But now the Danes (12-4-2) are full of confidence.

“We’re going to Denver!” said senior goalie Wiles Larimer, barely able to contain his joy.

No. 4 seed Fountain Valley won’t have a rematch as hoped against No. 1 Colorado Springs Christian School (17-1) at 11 Saturday at the North Area Athletic Complex.

No. 8 Hotchkiss (14-0-4)stunned the Lions 3-0, holding off a furious second-half rally.

The Region 7 champions tied Basalt in September, 2-2, but routed them 4-1 earlier this month. Hotchkiss is on a roll, outscoring opponents 19-3 this month with three playoff shutouts in a row.

Judging from that, the Danes defense will be tested.

Larimer, whose father is the school’s headmaster and a 1969 graduate of Fountain Valley, played his best game against No. 12 Basalt, said Danes coach David Shaver.

“Coach said I was thinking too much in the last game, which wasn’t my best match,” Larimer said. “He said to quit thinking and just react. I’m just so relieved. People didn’t expect much from this team. But it feels so good!”

Shaver, a former Wasson assistant, replaced Nichole Rick, now the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs women’s coach.

He said the Danes dominated the second half and touted the reliability of McCaffrey, who has 11 goals.

“He’s such a smart player,” Shaver said. “He’s always in the right position.”

McCaffrey said Langer’s pass was perfect.

“He saw me fading back to the post,” McCaffrey said. “I just tried to head it to the back post.”

Basalt coach John McDermott was impressed by the Danes.

“They were very good in the midfield and controlled the ball,” he said. “It was such an equal match. It was a huge game to lose but not a disappointment to lose because both teams played so well.”