The Standley Lake girls soccer team has already matched last season's win total, and the Gators (5-0-1) have yet to begin Class 4A Jeffco League play.
First-year head coach Stephen Tolman led Standley Lake to its fifth straight win with a 4-0 shutout victory over Bear Creek on Friday night at Lakewood Memorial Field. Tolman said he was surprised the Gators won just five games last season.
“The chemistry is good,” Tolman said of his team, whose only blemish was a 1-1 tie against Denver South in Standley Lake's season opener. “The girls really care about each other and play for each other.”
Standley Lake already has four shutout wins and has outscored opponents 28-2 in six games.
On Friday night, Standley Lake scored two goals in the first half and second half to earn a shutout victory. Junior Macy Palmer, who has played primarily as a goalie for the Gators this season, scored a header in the fifth minute to give Standley Lake a 1-0 lead.
“This was a game where we wanted everyone on the field,” Palmer said. “We wanted to involve everyone.”
Junior Collin Kaderquist scored in the 16th minute against Bear Creek (1-4-1) to give the Gators a 2-0 lead. In the 44th minute, a nice shot from his senior Jillian Bungaard increased the lead to 3-0.
Senior Jocelyn Beason rounded it out with a goal in the 77th minute. Senior Victoria Herrera netted the game for the Gators in a shutout victory.
“I think we can carry this momentum into the league,” Palmer said. “I think we can also qualify for nationals.”
Tallman acknowledged the competition will get even tougher once Standley Lake begins conference play next week. Maintaining a winning streak will be key.
Standley Lake opens league play against Conifer (2-3, 0-1) on Monday, April 8 at the North Area Athletic Complex. The Gators will play defending 4A state champion Dakota Ridge in the NAAC on April 11.
“We proved we can compete,” Tolman said. “We’ll see now if we can compete at the next level.”
Bear Creek will jump into 5A Jeffco League play next week. The Bears will face Chatfield (1-3-1) on Tuesday, April 9th at Lakewood Memorial Field.
Dennis Pleus is the sports information director for Jeffco Public Schools. For more information about Jeffco, visit CHSAANow.com.
