Kent Denver takes its turn

Sun Devils capture state lacrosse title from Cherry Creek

Adam Dunivan, Special to the News

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

GREENWOOD VILLAGE - The Kent Denver and Cherry Creek girls lacrosse rivalry does not extend too far beyond the field, but one gets the sense it is quite enjoyable for them to take titles from each other year after year.

Tuesday night, the rivalry gained some intensity, as the Sun Devils captured their third title with a 10-8 win against the defending champion Bruins at the Stutler Bowl.

It was the sixth time in eight seasons the teams have met in the final game, and it turned out to be one of the closest games in state history.

"We were ready for anything they gave us," Kent Denver's Danielle Kacholis said. "We did a good job of getting open for each other (Tuesday night)."

Kent Denver (16-2) came out with an intensity unmatched by Cherry Creek. The Sun Devils were faster but also seemed to play more aggressively around loose balls.

That assertiveness paid off as Kent Denver used a hot offense to gain a four-goal advantage in the first half.

After the score was tied 2-2, the Sun Devils went on a run that few teams have been able to put together against the Bruins this season.

They scored four goals in a span of 41/2 minutes, at the 6-minute, 55-second mark of the first half.

That surge started when Shannon Cudahy rifled a shot past goalie Katie Gold on a cross-circle feed from Schuyler Swenson, to put the Sun Devils up 3-2.

Swenson scored the next goal with a direct shot in the middle, then found Cudahy again a short while later.

"We were on a roll, for sure," said Swenson, who finished with two goals and two assists. "We just wanted it so bad, nothing was going to slow us down."

The run was key in gaining momentum, but late goals by freshman Kara Secora kept the drive alive for the Sun Devils. Gold was slammed with 18 shots on goal in the first half.

"She's been incredible for us," Kacholis said of Secora. "She's been a great anchor for our team, and we have so much confidence to give the ball to her."

As is the case with quality teams, Cherry Creek didn't quit.

Down by as many as five goals after the teams traded goals, Cherry Creek went on its biggest run in the game, scoring three consecutive goals to make it 10-8.

But Kent Denver goalie Erin Tochihara, the Rocky Mountain News game most valuable player, made some huge saves down the stretch.

Five minutes into the second half, Tochihara recorded a spectacular save on Cherry Creek's Jordan Elway, who had scored three goals, after a transition turnover left her wide open in the middle.

With 9:23 remaining in the game, the Bruins had a 3-on-1 break, led by Maggie Martin and Ana Pranger. Pranger, on Tochihara's right, fed Martin in the middle. The All-American senior got a clean shot, but Tochihara was not shaken.

She finished with 11 saves, several of which were on quality Cherry Creek scoring opportunities.

Gold made the game close by saving 17 Kent Denver shots. Her biggest save also came late, right after the Bruins cut the lead to two.

Kent Denver had settled possession behind the net, and Swenson tried to feed Cudahy again in the middle.

The Cherry Creek defenders hesitated, but Gold did not.

"They beat us in transition, that's what did it," Gold said. "The second half we played great, but time ran out on us."

The Bruins (16-2) had two more chances with about one minute left, but Tochihara stayed solid until the buzzer sounded.

Goals-assists - KD, Schuyler Swenson 2-2, Kara Secora 2-0, Molly Parker 2-0, Shannon Cudahy 2-0, Danielle Kacholis 1-1, Lauren Woodman 1-0, Greta Meyer 0-1; CC, Jordan Elway 3-1, Maggie Martin 2-0, Alexi Sanders 1-0, Perrie White 1-0, Catherine Chambers 1-1, Stephanie Hoyer 0-2.

Goalie saves - KD, Erin Tochihara 5-6 - 11; CC, Katie Gold 11-6 - 17. Shots on goal - KD 27, CC 19. Yellow cards - KD, Swenson (4:11 left in first half); CC, Audrey Fisher (5:16 left in first half).