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Class 4A girls soccer league outlooks

Rocky Mountain News

Published March 5, 2008 at 1 a.m.

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Colorado Springs Metro

Favorite: Cheyenne Mountain

Contenders: Liberty, Woodland Park

Outlook: Cheyenne Mountain has won two of the past three state titles, and the Indians should be in the hunt again this season. They have to replace a couple of great players in Kelly Lawson and Kelly Findorff, but there's enough talent on the roster to still be the team to beat. Liberty will push Cheyenne Mountain with nine returning starters from its Sweet 16 team. The Lancers will again play one of the most demanding schedules in the state, and that might lead to an ugly record but will make them tough come tournament time. With only four returning starters, this will be a rebuilding year for Fountain-Fort Carson.

Top players: Candice Buckles, Fountain-Fort Carson, Sr.; Alex Dohm, Liberty, So.; Megan Dozier, Liberty, jr.; Natalie Goodwin (GK), Fountain-Fort Carson, Sr.; Lauren Patterson, Cheyenne Mountain, Jr.; Megan Royer, Liberty, Sr.; Caitlin Turner (GK), Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.

Denver Prep

Favorite: Denver South

Contenders: Thomas Jefferson, Montbello

Outlook: This league made strides last season, as Thomas Jefferson advanced to the second round of state. The Spartans will battle for the league crown along with Denver South, which has a good group of seniors to build around.

Top players: Lydia Heasley, Denver South, Sr.; Catherine Knoth, Denver South, Sr.; Abby Reynolds, Denver South, Sr.; Jayne Reynolds, Denver South, Jr.

Jefferson County

Favorite: Golden

Contenders: Ralston Valley, D'Evelyn, Conifer

Outlook: This has developed into one of the most competitive leagues in the state, with three teams reaching the second round and two making it to the quarterfinals. Ralston Valley has dominated this league in the past, but squads are catching up to the Mustangs. Golden might surpass them this year, as the Demons bring back all 11 starters from a team that was eliminated in double-overtime in the quarterfinals. Englewood hopes to challenge for a playoff spot behind sensational sophomore Nicole Pollack, who notched 13 goals as a freshman. Evergreen is looking to get back to the playoffs and returns eight starters, including a solid core of midfielders.

Top players: Marissa Davis, Golden, Jr.; Nicholette DiGiacomo, Golden, So.; Lizzie Farrell, Golden, Sr.; Anya Kaufman, Evergreen, So.; Kirsten Litchfield, Englewood, Sr.; Nicole Pollack, Englewood, So.; Sammy Savers, Englewood, So.; Emily Stading, Evergreen, Jr.; Emily Thom, Evergreen, Sr.

Northern

Favorite: Silver Creek

Contenders: Niwot, Fossil Ridge, Broomfield

Outlook: Unquestionably the top league in the class, with as many as six teams that could make a legitimate case as a state title contender. Silver Creek and Fossil Ridge made the semifinals last year, and both could make another run this season. Niwot was the overall No. 1 seed in the playoffs, not losing a game until the quarterfinals. That loss still stings, and the Cougars are looking to ease their pain with a state title. Broomfield begins a new era under first-year coach Eryn Gallagher, but the Eagles have one of the grandest traditions of any program, regardless of classification. The rest of the league is formidable as well, and all the teams that survive the regular season can be a factor in the playoffs.

Top players: Taylor Bailey, Thompson Valley, Sr.; Kelly Bieber, Fossil Ridge, Sr.; Danielle Birdsall, Broomfield, Jr.; Lauren Braman, Niwot, Jr.; Kaitlin Buck, Niwot, Jr.; Debra Davies, Broomfield, Sr.; Natalie Foulk, Broomfield, Jr.; Couri Pitt, Thompson Valley, Jr.; Meg Rosenberg, Thompson Valley, Sr.; Kate Russell, Silver Creek, Sr.; Lauren Shoner, Niwot, Jr.

Skyline

Favorite: Mountain Range

Contenders: Centaurus, Cherokee Trail

Outlook: This league is definitely top-heavy, with second-year Mountain Range developing into a true state title contender. The Mustangs are led by junior sensation Brandi Hopkins, but there's plenty of talent throughout the roster. Cherokee Trail will push Mountain Range for the league crown with 10 starters back from last year's 11-win club. High-scoring sophomore Alexis Serrano (24 goals) will pace the offense, while Lindsey Johnson anchors the defense. Ranum has a solid keeper in Anna Olivas, who made 108 saves last year, and the Raiders should battle for the top half of the league. Regis Jesuit and Rock Canyon qualify for regionals through the Skyline League after playing a 5A Continental League schedule, and they could nab two of the league's four playoff spots.

Top players: Brandi Hopkins, Mountain Range, Jr.; Lindsey Johnson, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; Molly Miller, Prairie View, Jr.; Anna Olivas (GK), Ranum, Jr.; Brittany Popelka, Prairie View, Fr.; Atilanna Retana, Ranum, Jr.; Erika Roach, Prairie View, Jr.; Lauren Schaedig (GK), Rock Canyon, Sr.; Alexis Serrano, Cherokee Trail, So.; Marki Sorensen, Ranum, So.; Taran Thompson, Rock Canyon, Sr.; Breanna Turner, Cherokee Trail, So.; Suzie Wagstaff, Rock Canyon, Jr.

South Central

Favorite: Pueblo South

Contenders: Pueblo Centennial, Pueblo East

Outlook: Pueblo South made a run to the quarterfinals last year, but the Colts will have to replace Katie Thiebaut, who scored more than 100 goals in her career. The league crown might not be decided until the final week of the regular season, as the top three teams were separated by only a couple of games last season.

Top players: Sabre Brill, Pueblo West, Sr.; Kaci Garcia, Pueblo Centennial, Jr.; Karly Gradisar, Pueblo East, Sr.

Western Slope

Favorite: Battle Mountain

Contenders: Steamboat Springs, Delta

Outlook: Battle Mountain didn't lose a game last year until it was knocked out by Golden during the second round of the state tournament. Making a deeper postseason push is the goal this year, although the Huskies lost a lot of offense to graduation. Palisade has a large sophomore contingent, but the Bulldogs believe they can make the playoffs if they can get by Delta and Glenwood Springs.

Top players: Marisa Ammaturo, Battle Mountain, So.; Mandy Bruegmann, Palisade, Jr.; Nelsa Burkett, Montezuma-Cortez, Sr.; Amelia Davis, Palisade, So.; Liz Dearstyne, Montrose, Sr.; Rachel Hansen, Montrose, Jr.; Emily Lybarger, Battle Mountain, Sr.; Nicole Martinez, Montezuma-Cortez, Jr.; Jackie Ramsey, Montezuma-Cortez, Jr.; Lizzie Seibert, Battle Mountain, So.; Alyssa Vock, Montrose, Sr.; Lindsay Yaetes, Palisade, Sr.

Comments

  • April 20, 2008

    9:16 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    michaelandlorih writes:

    I think you need to look at the team as a whole when posting comments about top players. Most of the players you talk about are the forwards that could not make the goals without the defense and midfeilders passing the ball up to them.
    You need to start talking about the players who control the game (defense) and give them some of this credit you write about.