LAKEWOOD — Columbine’s girls lacrosse team thrived in a typical early spring night in Colorado at Trailblazer Stadium
In the snow and cold, the Rebels grabbed their fourth victory of the season with an 18-6 victory over Mullen. Columbine senior Erica Sawicki led the Rebels with seven goals to put her at 24 goals on the season.
“It was very surprising at school seeing it was snowing, but it is honestly so much fun to play in,”Sawicki said. “You get out on the field and have fun.”
The win was a nice rebound after the Rebels’ lone loss so far this season the day before. Colorado Academy — No. 1 in the CHSAANow.com Class 5A rankings — took an 18-3 victory over Columbine on April 3.
Freshmen Magnolia Burdick (5 goals), Mady Allen (4 goals) and Rilyn Kofoed (2 goals) finished out the scoring for the Rebels.
“The chemistry I’m starting to find with our attack with a few of those freshmen and Erica (Sawicki) … they are really finding a dynamic that is working,” Columbine second-year coach Rennie Tankersley said. “I want it to continue to blossom and grow. It’s really awesome.”
Columbine’s defense was also awesome in the second half. The Rebels led 10-6 at halftime, but was able to shut out the Mustangs (0-5 record) in the second half. Columbine senior goalie Betty Nelson was outstanding to keep the winless Mullen squad off the scoreboard after halftime.
“We defintely did,” Tankersley said of the team talking about shutting out Mullen in the second half.
The Rebels (4-1, 0-1 in 5A West League) have already gone way past their win total from last season. Columbine struggled to a 1-14 record, 0-6 in 5A West League standings in 2022.
“This biggest thing has been talent,” Tankersley said of the difference from last year’s 1-win team. “We are finding some more numbers (girls) than we did last year so that has allowed us to grow girls without throwing them into the depths of the varsity team.”
Sawicki, who led the team with 43 goals last season, feels like the team has really gelled together with its veteran leadership and talented youth.
“Our team motto is ‘win within’. We are all about each other, supporting each other and being there for each other,” Sawicki said. “We have build that connection before the season. It has transferred into the season.”
Columbine will hit the road later this week against Heritage (3-1) to continue a stretch of five non-league games before facing rival Ralston Valley on April 22.
“I love this team,” Sawicki said. “We’ll keep on growing.”