LAFAYETTE >> For teams chasing wins in the state playoffs, belief is everything.

Peak to Peak boys soccer head coach James Wagenschutz was reminded of that during the Pumas’ Class 3A state tournament quarterfinal game when he put his trust in Rajeev Bharadwaj. After seeing inconsistent playing time during most of his junior season, Bharadwaj saw important minutes on Monday and ultimately rewarded his head coach by scoring Peak to Peak’s game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over KIPP Denver Collegiate.

Bharadwaj’s goal — his second of the season — came with 26:48 remaining in the second half.

“Zach (Young), my teammate, sent an amazing cross,” Bharadwaj said. “It went right through their center-back and I knew I had to put it away. Our entire team has been working so hard to get here, and we’re not done yet.”

Wagenschutz added that although Bharadwaj has immense abilities, he struggled with belief earlier this season.

“In mid-season, it was a lot of conversations with him to believe that he can do it because he’s so quick and he’s so dynamic,” Wagenschutz said. “Today, starting him was a key piece in that belief in him, and he made a believer out of everybody.”

With the win over No. 11 seed KIPP Denver Collegiate, No. 3 Peak to Peak improved to 11-2-4 while cementing an undefeated season on its home turf (8-0-2).

The Pumas’ semifinal game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Jeffco North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada. They’ll face the winner of Monday’s quarterfinal matchup between No. 7 Woodland Park and No. 2 Jefferson Academy.

Against KIPP Denver Collegiate, Peak to Peak’s elite speed was held in check early by the White Tigers’ defense, although the Pumas didn’t lack goal-scoring opportunities created by leading scorer Micah Thengvall and company. The White Tigers nearly scored late in the first half, but Peak to Peak goaltender Drew Kraft made a diving save to keep things scoreless.

After shutting out Lamar and DSST: College View in the first two rounds, Peak to Peak has yet to allow a goal through three state playoff games.

“It feels great to have zero goals (allowed) in the playoffs,” Kraft said. “Most of the credit is to my defense, especially this game.”

The Pumas survived a scare with about four minutes remaining in the second half when a KIPP Denver Collegiate corner kick ricocheted just over the top crossbar. Still, Peak to Peak’s third straight shutout has Kraft believing in his defensive unit.

“I feel like we have all the momentum going into the next game, especially from a defensive standpoint,” Kraft said.

Peak to Peak is looking to reach the state championship game for the first time since losing to Colorado Academy in 2022.

“These guys are so hungry for more and so hungry to get back to that final from two years ago,” Wagenschutz said.