Archive for the ‘Girls Soccer’ Category

All-state girls soccer teams for Season D

The Season D all-state girls soccer teams honor the best players in the sport as judged by the leagues and coaches. They are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

These teams were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues, and then a vote of head coaches.

Player and coach of the year was also selected by a vote of the coaches.

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Class 5A

(David Johnson/davidjohnsonphotoprahpy.com)

Player of the year: Maddie Brady, Broomfield

Coach of the year: Jim Davidson, Broomfield

First Team
Name School Pos. Year
Kylie Bahr Valor Christian Junior
Maddie Brady Broomfield FORW Junior
Teeghan Dodd Rock Canyon D Junior
Paige Foa Arapahoe MF Senior
Kelley Francis Cherry Creek FORW Senior
Cristina Inboden Cherry Creek D Senior
Reagan Kotschau Broomfield MF Sophomore
Peyton Parsons Valor Christian Junior
Taryn Rea Broomfield D Junior
Ajanae Respass Valor Christian Junior
Cate Sheahan Rock Canyon MF Junior
Second Team
Name School Pos. Year
Kendall Ahern Rock Canyon Senior
Anna Arnold Mountain Vista D Senior
Alyssa Glover Cherry Creek MF Junior
Julianna Hayward Legacy MF Junior
Alexis Meyer Regis Jesuit MF Freshman
Isa Murdock Pine Creek Junior
Taryn Pratte Rock Canyon MF Senior
Blythe Sales Fairview MF Senior
Molly Skurcenski Grandview D Junior
Olivia Stutzman Rocky Mountain Senior
Natalie Vatter Mountain Vista Junior

Honorable mention:

  • Shayla Addington, D, Chaparral, Junior
  • Madison Allshouse, D, Legacy, Junior
  • Eve Bleam, MF, Boulder, Junior
  • Reagan Bridges, D, Arapahoe, Senior
  • Taylor Brook, Rocky Mountain, Senior
  • Sydney Ciechanowicz, MF, Denver East, Senior
  • Brae Cole, MF, Monarch, Senior
  • Ashlyn Craig, D, Arvada West, Junior
  • Sabrina DeHart, D/MF, Rampart, Freshman
  • Cyanne Doyle, STRK, ThunderRidge, Senior
  • Sarah Dunn, Rampart, Sophomore
  • Kate Dunne, D, Regis Jesuit, Junior
  • Kaelin Enga, MF, Liberty, Senior
  • Taylor Evans, Mountain Vista, Junior
  • Makenna Flinn, FORW, Fruita Monument, Senior
  • Addie Follett, FORW, Cherry Creek, Senior
  • Lucy Hart, D/FORW, Pine Creek, Senior
  • Kylie Hoffman, MF, Legacy, Sophomore
  • Jace Holmes, MF, ThunderRidge, Senior
  • Emily Hoy, MF, Northglenn, Senior
  • Annika Kassenbrock, STRK/D, Silver Creek, Senior
  • Cadence Kline, D/MF, Columbine, Junior
  • Lolo Lacy, GK, Pine Creek, Senior
  • Karly Lambert, , Brighton, Sophomore
  • Anna Lantz, FORW, Regis Jesuit, Junior
  • Cecelia Marlowe, D, Castle View, Junior
  • Jenna McCormick, MF, ThunderRidge, Senior
  • Delaney McGowan, Cherokee Trail, Senior
  • Brooklyn McKinney, FORW, Prairie View, Senior
  • Hannah Murphy, MF, Lakewood, Sophomore
  • Kara Nelson, GK, Silver Creek, Junior
  • Jordan Nytes, GK, Grandview, Junior
  • Jordan Okada, D, Fairview, Senior
  • Avery Ott, MF, Arapahoe, Junior
  • Kaitlyn Pagel, , Cherokee Trail, Senior
  • Hannah Peterson, D, Chatfield, Senior
  • Jo Sees, Valor Christian, Sophomore

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Class 4A

(Kevin Keyser/keyserimages.com)

Player of the year: Olivia Dietrich, Holy Family

Coach of the year: Michelle Griego, Holy Family

First Team
Name School Pos. Year
Kacy Clements Holy Family D Senior
Capri Dewing Air Academy FORW/MF Senior
Olivia Dietrich Holy Family GK/FORW Junior
Jaelen Giron Holy Family MF/FORW Senior
Carty Kingsbury Windsor D Junior
Jocelyn Ollivierre Air Academy D Junior
Catherine Rapp Evergreen Junior
Elizabeth Rapp Evergreen Junior
Myla Stewart Evergreen Senior
Kira Villarreal Northridge FORW/MF Junior
Sunnie Yarnell Northridge FORW/MF Freshman
Second Team
Name School Pos. Year
Emily Browne Wheat Ridge MF Junior
Gabby Caballero Battle Mountain D/GK Senior
Lauren Clingman Holy Family MF/D Senior
Moira Franck The Classical Academy Junior
Haeley Gallegos Northridge MF Senior
Haley Janakus D’Evelyn MF Sophomore
Melina McClure The Classical Academy Junior
Lauren Reid Thomas Jefferson Senior
Jessica Valladares Denver North MF Senior
Lia Zavalsky Golden MF Senior
Jocelin Zimmerer Evergreen Senior

Honorable mention:

  • Kylie Bach, Riverdale Ridge, Senior
  • Avery Bergschneider, D/FB/MF, Littleton, Senior
  • Morgan Berry, MF/FORW, Woodland Park, Junior
  • Brooke Bonner, Green Mountain, Senior
  • Callie Borg, MF, Battle Mountain, Senior
  • Madeline Borncamp, Niwot, Senior
  • Taylor Bottoms, Thompson Valley, Junior
  • Abby Bush, MF, Windsor, Junior
  • Katy Clapp, MF, Summit, Sophomore
  • Tatum Coe, Eagle Valley, Junior
  • Josie Coulter, Montrose, Junior
  • Michayla Dirito-Goff, STRK/MF, Pueblo South, Senior
  • Maya Elias, FORW/MF/D, Glenwood Springs, Senior
  • Kiera Flannagan, Niwot, Senior
  • Lanie Freeland, STRK/GK, Greeley Central, Senior
  • Grace Gardner, MF, Golden, Senior
  • Ally Henrikson, Pueblo County, Senior
  • Paige Hill, D/MF, Northridge, Sophomore
  • Sammi Holt, MF, Canon City, Senior
  • Gwyneth Jamison, Steamboat Springs, Freshman
  • Allie Jones, MF, Pueblo Centennial, Senior
  • Riley Jones, Palmer Ridge, Senior
  • Marit Klagge, Thompson Valley, Junior
  • Sarah Langley, STRK/MF/D, Coronado, Freshman
  • Sydney Lasater, MF, Sand Creek, Senior
  • Shaela Leahy, The Classical Academy, Senior
  • Darby Martinez, Steamboat Springs, Junior
  • Justice McKee, Palisade, Senior
  • Kennedy Montoya, Northfield, Junior
  • Sophia Nickel, FORW, Golden, Freshman
  • Peyton Oleson, MF, Mountain View, Senior
  • Lauren Petersen, Bear Creek, Senior
  • Breanne Raley, FORW, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior
  • Kylea Roitsch, The Classical Academy, Senior
  • Kyle Rowland, Durango, Senior
  • Mary Sanchez, FORW/MF/GK, Pueblo Central, Senior

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Class 3A

(Jack Carlough)

Player of the year: Izzy Newton, Kent Denver

Coach of the year: Lucas Richardson, Kent Denver

First Team
Name School Pos. Year
Gaby Gish Vail Mountain Junior
Maggie Hirsch Jefferson Academy MF/FORW Senior
Sloan Hurley Kent Denver Senior
Britt Lochhead Colorado Academy Senior
Adjrieanne (AJ) Loera The Academy MF Junior
Ella Massarotti Lutheran MF/FORW Sophomore
Izzy Newton Kent Denver Junior
Rachel Pelino Salida Senior
Maya Pellegrini Colorado Academy Senior
Kate Runyon Jefferson Academy FORW Sophomore
Caley Swierenga Lutheran D/MF Sophomore
Second Team
Name School Pos. Year
Emma Bartha Colorado Springs Christian D Senior
Lauren DiFraia The Academy FORW/MF/STRK Senior
Kayla Hummer James Irwin FORW/MF Freshman
Abby Kuhnel Middle Park MF Senior
Madrid Mack Manitou Springs MF/FORW Sophomore
Kjersti Moritz Vail Mountain Sophomore
Morgan Potts Jefferson Academy D/MF Junior
Grace Romero Aspen D/MF Senior
Kateri Trujillo Prospect Ridge Academy FORW Sophomore
Jaycie Verderaime Liberty Common FORW Senior
Karinne Walther Peak to Peak GK Senior

Honorable mention:

  • Ava Candelaria, DSST: Byers, Senior
  • Julia Creech, MF, St. Mary’s, Senior
  • Mari Domingos, D, Colorado Springs Christian, Senior
  • Arlette Duran, Atlas Preparatory School, Senior
  • Jennifer Ellis, MF/FORW, Aspen, Junior
  • Makena Feist, FORW/MF, Liberty Common, Sophomore
  • Saige Ferguson, Salida, Senior
  • Emily Gish, Vail Mountain, Junior
  • Kassidy Grey, MF, Colorado Springs Christian, Sophomore
  • Nina Haas, Salida, Freshman
  • Samantha Johnston, Basalt, Senior
  • Maggie Lappe, MF, St. Mary’s, Sophomore
  • Toby Lawson, Salida, Junior
  • Sarah Levy, STRK, Basalt, Sophomore
  • Kipley Lewis, D, Liberty Common, Sophomore
  • Katie MacKendrick, FORW, Middle Park, Senior
  • Diana Maldonado, GK, DSST: Green Valley Ranch, Junior
  • Sophie McKeown, FORW/MF, Manitou Springs, Senior
  • Abby Parker, D/MF, Manitou Springs, Junior
  • Macey Peery, Roaring Fork, Junior
  • Jessica Polkowske, MF, Alamosa, Senior
  • Alexis Ramey, Frontier Academy, Senior
  • Tania Razo, MF/FORW, DSST: Green Valley Ranch, Junior
  • Allie Schumacher, MF/FORW/D, Sterling, Senior
  • Erica Sherwin, FORW, Manitou Springs, Sophomore
  • Kimberly Sierra, GK, James Irwin, Sophomore
  • Amber Smith, MF/D, DSST: Green Valley Ranch, Sophomore
  • Keiry Sosa, MF/D, DSST: Green Valley Ranch, Senior
  • Stella Stone, Vail Mountain, Sophomore
  • McKenzie Stricker, D/FB, The Academy, Senior
  • Libby Tharp, Coal Ridge, Senior
  • Ashley Tyrell, D/MF, Liberty Common, Senior
  • Avery Verheyen, D, Colorado Springs Christian, Freshman
  • Ashley Wallau, D, St. Mary’s, Junior

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(Brent Murphy/BrentMurphyPhoto.com)

Class 2A

Player of the year: Degen Miller, Dawson School

Coach of the year: David Criswell, Dawson School

First Team
Name School Pos. Year
Sydney Adamson Rye Junior
Emma Budimlya Front Range Christian Sophomore
Sophie Bull Denver Christian D Junior
Elise Freedman Dawson School MF/D Senior
Nerea Genc Denver Christian MF Sophomore
Emmie Houseman Creste Butte Senior
Ayla Kanow Telluride Junior
Helen Leon Dawson School MF Junior
Jamison Litvay Buena Vista FORW/MF Junior
Degen Miller Dawson School FORW Senior
Sidney Singh Front Range Christian Senior
Maddy Timms Dawson School MF Senior
Second Team
Name School Pos. Year
Amelie Sante Telluride Junior
Breyda Spinner Clear Creek STRK/FORW Junior
Chloe McComas Del Norte FORW/STRK Senior
Katie Almoney Telluride Senior
Leigh Harpel Crested Butte Freshman
Dixie Morgan Buena Vista GK Sophomore
Lindsay Morgan Front Range Christian Senior
Rylie Young Clear Creek STRK/FORW Freshman
Shelby Sisler Ridgway Senior
Shylah Marquez Rye Senior
Sophie Adamson Rye Junior
Zoey Barela Vail Christian STRK Senior

Honorable mention:

  • Charlotte Apodaca, SWEP, Buena Vista, Sophomore
  • Annie Brown, STRK, Thomas McLaren, Senior
  • Hope Bruhn, Grand Valley, Senior
  • Tabitha Call, Grand Valley, Senior
  • Tylene Diehl, Grand Valley, Senior
  • Kaisa Dohlvik, Colorado Springs School, Freshman
  • Maizy Gordon, Ridgway, Sophomore
  • Terra Hurt, D, Thomas MacLaren, Senior
  • Shively Kierek, Colorado Springs School, Junior
  • Mia Lybecker, Colorado Springs School, Freshman
  • Ellie O’Neal, Crested Butte, Sophomore
  • Robin Pavelich, D, Vail Christian, Junior
  • Hope VonLintel, FORW, Twin Peaks Charter, Freshman
  • Lindsey Whitton, FORW, Vail Christian, Freshman

Photos: Dawson erupts on offense to beat out Telluride for 2A title

Photos: Holy Family claims first girls soccer title with victory over Evergreen

Girls soccer: Dawson’s Degen Miller named Gatorade Colorado player of the year

(Brent Murphy/BrentMurphyPhoto.com)

The highest scoring girls soccer state championship game in Colorado’s history fittingly featured one of the most prolific scorers to play in the Centennial State.

On Saturday at Weidner Field, the Dawson Mustangs won the Class 2A girls soccer championship, 15-4, over Telluride. Senior Degen Miller, who is a member of the U.S. Soccer Under-19 Team player pool, led the onslaught with four goals by herself. Those four game-breaking goals pushed Miller’s season total to an incredible 43 goals and 16 assists in Season D.

Several days later on Tuesday, Miller was named Gatorade Colorado girls soccer player of the year.

“When you look over the span of her career, she injured her collarbone as a freshman and we were still able to go through and win a state title that year,” Dawson head coach David Criswell said. “What stood out to me was how she still stuck around and stayed dedicated to the team, and that set the tone for the next few years. This year, the contributions she made to the team were immense. Of course, the technical skill and tactical knowledge on the field are obvious.

“But she also has a humility and grace that really allowed her to be a leader for us and makes her a special player beyond what she can do in a game.”

Miller, who will play at the University of Virginia next year, finished her high school pandemic-shortened career with 99 goals and 40 assists in just 33 career games. As a senior, she led the Mustangs (12-1) to a Mile High West championship on their way to a state title.

The Mustangs have played in all six Class 2A state championship games since the classification was introduced in 2015, and Miller has been on the team for both of Dawson’s girls soccer state championships.

“Degen is the whole package,” Front Range Christian coach Eric Osberg said in a press release. “She is the leader of that team and has made everyone around her better. Her vision on the field is phenomenal and she sees everyone and everything. What sets Degen apart is she knows when to involve her teammates and when she needs to take a game over.”

As Gatorade Colorado player of the year, Miller joins a list of in-state standouts that includes Mallory Mooney (2019-20, Broomfield High School), Mari Annest (2018-19, Colorado Academy), Hailey Stodden (2017-18, Broomfield High School), and Shae Holmes (2016-17, ThunderRidge High School), and others.

 

 

5A girls soccer: Giddings’ goals guide Broomfield past Rock Canyon in title game

(Jack Carlough)

COLORADO SPRINGS – With both Broomfield and Rock Canyon coming off one-goal wins in the semifinals, another low-scoring contest was expected when the teams clashed in the Class 5A finals on Saturday at Weidner Field.

The biggest difference was the second-seeded Eagles had Bailee Giddings on their side. The sophomore was given the opportunity of her career and delivered on a penalty kick to break a tie late in the second half and help send the Eagles home with a 3-1 victory and the championship trophy.

“There (were) a lot of nerves going around with that and I was super nervous,” Giddings said. “But you practice those in practice over and over again, so I felt confident to take it.”

Giddings’ second goal of the day was plenty for Broomfield to secure its first state title since winning 4A in 2006. Sophomore Michaela McGowan added a valuable insurance goal with 7:45 left to give the Eagles their eventual two-score victory.

For a program that has finished runner-up in four of the last seven seasons, Broomfield coach Jim Davidson said it felt good for the team to finally take that next step.

“It’s nice to get the monkey off our back and get the breakthrough state championship,” Davidson said. “Really proud of the girls.”

Although she missed out on her freshman season due to the COVID-19 pandemic canceling the 2020 spring campaign, Giddings’ lack of experience didn’t matter much when it mattered most. Just minutes after scoring the opening goal of the game, her hamstring cramped around midfield. Davidson said the injury was concerning at the time but Giddings didn’t skip a beat.

“We were worried about what kind of minutes she’s going to be able to give us in the second half,” Davidson said. “To go literally the entirety of the second half and to put the game away for us speaks to her mentality and her courage.”

Rock Canyon, which came in as the No. 4-seed, scored its lone goal of the afternoon in the 43rd minute. Junior Cate Sheahan headed a corner kick to tie the game at one and, at least momentarily, spark life in the Jaguars. The goal was just Broomfield’s second allowed in its four playoff games.

Davidson said that Rock Canyon’s momentum-shifting goal had him a bit nervous on the sidelines. The Eagles, however, adjusted and worked to regain control of the midfield, which ultimately produced Giddings’ winning penalty kick.

Broomfield’s victory cemented a 13-0-1 season, while Rock Canyon lost for the first time since its opening game against Ponderosa on May 6.

3A girls soccer: Championship defense earns Kent Denver the Season D title

(Jack Carlough)

COLORADO SPRINGS – Kent Denver goalkeeper Claire Welch didn’t let the bright lights of Weidner Field faze her during Saturday’s Class 3A state championship match.

The Sun Devils junior stopped every Colorado Academy shot attempt en route to a 1-0 decision and Season D state championship for her team.

“She’s a new starter this year and seemed to get big when she needed to be big,” Kent Denver coach Lucas Richardson said. “She’s been great all season and she’s just got a wonderfully positive attitude.”

The victory marked Kent Denver’s sixth state title for an increasingly accomplished program. It was Kent Denver’s first since beating Colorado Academy, 3-1, in the 2016 edition.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Sun Devils’ score came on a corner kick with 24 minutes remaining in the second half. Junior Izzy Newton delivered the kick which banana-curled into the back left corner of the net. Richardson said it was the second time this season that Newton utilized her accurate right leg for a corner kick goal.

“We wanted to put the ball close to their goal to see what would happen and Izzy hits a great ball,” Richardson said. “She scores a lot of goals in big games.”

For the Sun Devils, Richardson believed it was their ability to compete in close games that won them the title. The 1-0 final was Kent Denver’s fifth victory decided by two goals or less to cap off a 12-0-2 campaign.

“They know how to win close games,” Richardson said “All season we’ve been really good in tight games, and they did it again today. I think it’s a testament to their character. They’re a tough bunch.”

The Sun Devils’ defense may have epitomized their grind-it-out attitude. Colorado Academy, which finished the season 10-3-2, had limited offensive attempts and couldn’t take advantage of a corner kick at the 70-minute mark.

“Defense is everything,” Welch said. “I give a lot of (the credit for) all my shutouts to them.”

As the temperature dropped on a rainy Weidner Field, Welch said she wasn’t exactly warm but maintained a positive attitude. She was rewarded.

“It’s such a great feeling,” Welch said. “I’m a junior, so (it’s my) third year on the team and it just feels great to finally win the chip.”

2A girls soccer: Miller’s four goals help deliver Dawson a state title

(Jack Carlough)

COLORADO SPRINGS – The highest scoring state championship game in CHSAA girls soccer history went in favor of the Dawson Mustangs, as they took down Telluride, 15-4, on Saturday at Weidner Field to win their second Class 2A title.

Senior Degen Miller, who was a member of Dawson’s 2018 title team, scored four goals in her final high school hoorah. Miller didn’t have to do it all by herself, as Lauren Muniz, Elise Freedman and Helen Leon each netted a hat trick as well.

Head coach David Criswell, who will soon move to Chicago, could tell early on that his final team at Dawson was different.

“Since the first practice we had and the first game we had, I could tell this was a special group,” Criswell said. “Forget their technical skills, I think those stand for themselves, they’re just such a cohesive team.”

The second-seeded Mustangs capped off a 12-1 season with their only loss coming against 4A Northridge. Telluride, meanwhile, came in as the No. 1 seed but fell to 12-1.

The big stage wasn’t an unfamiliar one for Dawson, which has played in every title game since 2A soccer’s conception in 2015. Following a canceled 2020 season, this year’s title game was hosted by the newly-minted Weidner Field in Colorado Springs.

Despite producing the largest goal differential in a Colorado state title game, the Mustangs fell behind early when Telluride freshman Brooke Duncan scored the game’s opening goal. The relinquished goal made for just the second time all year the Mustangs fell behind. Criswell said his team didn’t lose confidence and quickly answered with five straight goals.

Dawson held an 8-3 lead at the half and didn’t let off the gas pedal much in the final 40 minutes. Freedman and senior Maddy Timms each scored to open the second half and induce a running game clock. Madison Shaw also scored in the game.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, Miller scored her fourth goal to put Dawson up 12-4. Her Season D playoff run totaled 14 goals including six against Front Range Christian in Round 1. Miller credited her midfield for fueling the offense.

“Our midfield played great today. I think they had great balls,” Miller said. “They were able to find spaces between Telluride’s defense and slip some balls in.”

For both Miller and Criswell, their final game together was bittersweet.

“It (was) our coach’s last game with this team, which means a lot to all of us,” Miller said. “We really wanted to win it for him and we’re all just so happy that we were able to do that.”

4A Girls Soccer: Holy Family wins first title with last-second goal

Holy Family won its first girls soccer state championship Saturday with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Evergreen. The No. 12-seeded Tigers defeated the No. 5, 4, 1 and 2 seeds on the way to the state championship. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

COLORADO SPRINGS — Twelve is a number that is going to be remembered for a long time for Holy Family’s girls soccer program.

The Tigers entered this season’s Class 4A state tournament as the No. 12 seed. Holy Family defeated the No. 5, 4 and 1 seeds to reach Saturday’s championship game at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs.

“I think they were better than the No. 12 seed for sure,” Holy Family coach Michelle Griego said. “We took it as a sign of disrespect.”

Holy Family earned plenty of respect when junior Gianna Sandoval’s shot from 30 yards out was perfectly placed in the far corner of the net with 12 seconds left in regulation-time to give the Tigers a dramatic 2-1 victory over No. 2 Evergreen.

Senior Jaelen Giron had made a strong run down the right side for the Tigers before losing control of the ball in the Cougars’ defensive end. However, an Evergreen clearing attempt went right to Sandoval who knew she didn’t have much time to get a shot off.

“I was definitely looking at the clock. I knew I had to do something,” Sandoval said. “I thought it was going overtime, but I didn’t want it to go overtime. We had to put whatever we had on net.”

Evergreen junior goalie Aubrey Huerta made a valiant leaping attempt, but the shot was just too good.

“Gianna makes those shots all the time,” Griego said.

The Tigers (11-2 record) went into celebration mode as the Cougars (13-1) were shocked that their undefeated season had come to a close with another loss in a 4A state championship game. Evergreen suffered 1-goal losses to D’Evelyn and Cheyenne Mountain in 4A title games in 2017 and 2019.

“This was the year, disappointment definitely,” Evergreen senior Myla Stewart said of the Cougars’ third runner-up finish in five years. “We came in with a good mindset, but we didn’t play with a good mindset and that’s the difference of winning and losing.”

Steward opened up the scoring in the 7th minute with a direct free kick that she hit hard on the ground that Holy Family junior goalie Olivia Dietrich couldn’t reach. It would be the lone goal of the game for Evergreen as Dietrich was solid making a handful of saves.

“Our team is scrappy and our keeper (Dietrich) is amazing. She kept us in it,” Griego said. “She made a ridiculous save in the first half that kept the game from being 2-0.”

Sandoval tied the game at 1-1 with a goal that she admitted went off her chin guard from right in front of Evergreen’s net in the 32nd minute. Tying things up before halftime kept the belief alive for Holy Family that it could pull off one final upset to grab the school’s first girls soccer championship in its first trip to a title game on the pitch.

“We made it this far. It would have been sad if we would have lost,” Sandoval said of upsetting a higher seed in each of the Tigers’ four playoff victories. “

The Tigers graduate just five seniors, so a repeat could be in the card with Dietrich and Sandoval leading the way.

“The girls rally around her (Dietrich),” Griego said about the Tigers’ junior goalie. “They all come to play in different ways. They all do their part. I’m super proud of them because it takes everyone on the field. I love them all.”

Holy Family players swarm junior Gianna Sandoval after she scored with 12 seconds remaining in regulation time to give the Tigers a 2-1 victory over Evergreen on Saturday at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

FIFA referee Karen Abt to officiate girls soccer 5A championship game

Karen Abt

Karen Abt has ascended a great deal since she last officiated a high school soccer game in 2009, as she has spent the past seven years as a professional official on the FIFA panel, the world’s highest level of officiating.

A Colorado native, Abt will soon return high school action when she takes the field to referee the Class 5A girls soccer state championship game between Rock Canyon and Broomfield on Saturday at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs.

(Karen Abt)

“I’m really excited to referee one of the Colorado high school state championships because it allows me an opportunity to give back to soccer,” Abt said. “The game and the people I have met over the years have afforded me so many opportunities to travel the world, experience things I had never imagined and make life-long friends. So, it is important to me to give back to the game so that others can enjoy as well, and aspire to achieve what I have.

“I want to encourage and inspire our younger referees, and for them to know that the opportunities are limitless if they put the time and effort into officiating.  And just maybe, even get some of the players to consider officiating at some point. There is also a purity about high school soccer. They are playing for the love of the game. I’m looking forward to that.”

Abt grew up in Fort Collins and went to Rocky Mountain High School. She has been on the FIFA panel since 2016. She works at the Colorado School of Mines in the Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center and in her minimal free time, trains and referees.

On Saturday, Abt said she is looking forward to an opportunity to help serve the Colorado high school soccer community that helped her get to where she is today.

“I am most looking forward to working at home with my Colorado referee family,” Abt said. “I travel so often that having a weekend at home is a gift. I’m excited to work with those who have encouraged, supported, and helped me along the way. There’s a comfort in coming home to the mountains and my soccer family.”

In 2019, 17-year-old Patricia McCracken officiated the 5A boys state championship game.

Girls soccer: Championship matchups are set in all four classifications

(Ben Parris)

At four different sites, Colorado’s top high school girls soccer teams spent Wednesday afternoon and evening battling it out in order to decide which of them would square off for their respective classification championships on Saturday at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. The championship matchups are now set in all four classes.

Class 2A – No. 2 Dawson vs. No. 1 Telluride – 9 a.m.

Class 4A – No. 12 Holy Family vs No. 2 Evergreen – Noon

Class 5A – No. 2 Broomfield vs. No. 4 Rock Canyon – 3 p.m.

Class 3A – No. 1 Kent Denver vs. No. 10 Colorado Academy – 6 p.m.

[divider]

Class 5A

(4) Rock Canyon 1, (1) Valor Christian 0

The Rock Canyon girls soccer team has never won a state championship but the Jaguars have will have a chance to change that now that they have pushed their way into the state Season D state title game.

Getting past the No. 1 overall seed, No. 4 Rock Canyon (12-1) won 1-0 over top-seeded Valor Christian (11-1-1) in the Class 5A state semifinals on Wednesday. The Jaguars are on a 12-game win streak and will be looking to take home a trophy with lucky win No. 13 at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs on Saturday.

(2) Broomfield 1, (3) Cherry Creek 0

Sophomore Raegan Kotschau’s goal just before halftime turned out to be a big one, as it ended up being the lone score in a defensive battle against Cherry Creek that sent Broomfield into the Class 5A state championship game.

With both teams entering the semifinals without a loss, the Eagles (12-0-1) and Bruins (11-1) had allowed a combined 15 goals in 24 games before meeting up at Englewood High School on Wednesday. For the most part the constest played out as expected, with both defenses and goalkeepers stifling their opponents’ offenses until one team or the other finally put a ball in the back of the net.

That team, Broomfield, will now have the opportunity to play for its first state title since 2006.

[divider]

Class 4A

(12) Holy Family 1, (1) Northridge 0

The lowest seed remaining in the Colorado high school girls soccer postseason made a big move on Wednesday night.

Twelfth-seeded Holy Family (10-2) knocked off No. 1 Northridge (12-1), 1-0, in the Class 4A state semifinals and will play for a state championship at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs on Saturday. Jaelen Giron put the stamp on the biggest upset of the Colorado semifinals with a goal in the 62nd minute to give the Tigers an opportunity to play for a state title in Season D.

On Saturday, the Holy Family girls soccer team will play for the program’s first state title.

(2) Evergreen 1, (3) The Classical Academy 0

Wednesday evening certainly wasn’t a bad one for Evergreen athletics.

While the Cougars’ girls lacrosse team was in Aurora stamping the school’s name on the first ever Class 4A girls lacrosse trophy, the Evergreen girls soccer team was at Frederick High School crafting a 1-0 semifinal victory over No. 3 The Classical Academy (12-1-2). The second-seeded Cougars (13-0) remain unbeaten in Season D and will play for the 4A title on Saturday.

Through 13 games, the Cougars have allowed just four goals this season. Wednesday’s defensive shutout dealt The Classical Academy its first loss of the campaign.

Evergreen girls soccer has won two state championships, but has not taken home a first-place trophy since 1997.

[divider]

Class 3A

(1) Kent Denver 2, (4) Jefferson Academy 1

Kent Denver remains unbeaten in Season D. More importantly, that undefeated record has now earned the team an opportunity to play for a the Class 3A state championships.

In Wednesday’s semifinal round, the top-seeded Sun Devils (11-0-2) won 2-1 over No. 4 Jefferson Academy (10-2-1) and will head down to Colorado Springs for one more game on Saturday. After getting past a similarly defensively-talented Jaguars team on Wednesday, the Sun Devils will arrive at Weidner Field having outscored their Season D opponents 68-5.

(10) Colorado Academy 4, (3) Vail Mountain 0

With a pair of first-half goals and two more in the second half, No. 10 Colorado Academy (10-2-1) flew past No. 3 Vail Mountain (12-1) in the Class 3A state semifinals on Wednesday night at Stutler Bowl in Aurora.

The victory continued an impressive postseason run for the Mustangs, who have now outscored their three playoff opponents 11-1 and have not allowed a goal since the opening round. Colorado Academy girls soccer won its fifth state title in 2019 and will be looking to add a sixth when the Mustangs take the field in Colorado Springs on Saturday.

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Class 2A

(1) Telluride 4, (2) Crested Butte 1

Ayla Kanow wasn’t ready to officially start her summer break just yet, so she made sure the Telluride girls soccer team stuck around for the Class 2A championship game.

The junior scored three goals in a 4-1 victory over No. 4 Crested Butte (9-3) in the state semifinals on Wednesday afternoon to help the top-seeded Miners (12-0) punch their ticket to the final match of Season D. Wednesday’s game was tied 1-1 at halftime before Telluride exploded for three goals in the second half.

In Saturday’s state championship game, the unbeaten Miners will be playing for their program’s first state title.

(2) Dawson 9, (3) Denver Christian 3

Dawson has played in every single Class 2A girls soccer championship game since the classification was introduced in 2015. That’s five in a row and the Mustangs will make it six when they take the field at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs on Saturday.

In the semifinals on Wednesday evening, No. 2 Dawson (10-1) won 9-3 over No. 3 Denver Christian (10-1), the same program they have face in each of the past three state title tilts. While that championship rivalry won’t continue in Season D, the Mustangs will have a chance to keep their own streak of championship appearances alive when they face Telluride for the trophy.

The Mustangs led 4-2 at halftime and continued to pour it on in the second half to pull away to a safe distance. The Mustangs’ only loss of the season to date came on June 10 against Northridge, the top overall seed in the 4A state tournament.

Dawson senior Degen Miller leads all of Class 2A in goals scored.