Jefferson Academy celebrates their win over Manitou Springs during the Class 3A Girls State Soccer Final at Dick’s Sportin Goods Park in Commerce City on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)
Class 5A
Front Range League – South: Boulder, Broomfield, Fairview, Horizon, Legacy, Monarch, Mountain Range, Northglenn.
Boulder Panthers
Coach: Carlos Real
Last year’s result: 4-9-2; finished fourth in FRL South.
Testing 1-2-3: The Panthers are hoping to turn the corner after a season in which they had 10 underclassmen on the field most of the time, going 1-2-2 in overtime games.
The Tea: They bring back a solid core led by a defense featuring second-year junior captain Sylvie Rowe and Neva Woodson, both juniors. Another junior, Mia DeJohn (MF), and sophomore Elle Ceres (MF/F) help make up a promising midfield. Others to watch include Piper Reivich (MF), Liz Sanchez (F) and Charlee Sheimbaum (MF).
Broomfield Eagles
Coach: Jim Davidson
Last year’s result: 14-3; won FRL South and reached 5A quarterfinals.
Testing 1-2-3: Senior Kayla Loughrey (D) will be the first player in program history to play at a historically Black College and University as she’s committed to Grambling State.
The Tea: The Eagles graduated one of their best senior classes under Davidson, though the longtime coach added that “in no way do we expect this to be a rebuilding year.” Seniors Loughrey, Bella Ganiere and Maile Chargualaf make up a talented backline looking to protect junior GK Addy Colangelo. Senior Charlotte Hansen (F) and junior Victoria Choren (F) will help lead their attack.
Fairview Knights
Coach: Steve Griggs
Last year’s result: 13-5-1; reached 5A semifinals.
Testing 1-2-3: The Knights graduated 13 seniors after getting to the semifinals last spring. Now, “we have a lot of younger players that are ready to help push the program forward,” Griggs said.
The Tea: They bring back starters in seniors Adelaide Obert (D), Trevianna Barto (D), Malana Gurmendi (MF) and junior Pailyn Pine (MF). Sophomore Anna Hrywnak (MF) joins them after she was second on the team in goals last season (six), only behind grad Claire Silverman (19). As does junior Lucy Ochs (F).
Legacy Lightning
Coach: Heather Solar
Last year’s result: 13-3-1; second in FRL South and reached 5A second round.
Testing 1-2-3: The Lightning will look to junior Makayla Martinez (MF) to help fill the 2023 scoring production lost to graduation. Grads Kendall Rippley (25 goals) and Katey Beaver (17) led the team a year ago.
The Tea: Martinez is back after scoring eight goals during her sophomore campaign. Around her, senior Kate Walker (D), juniors Laina Dayhuff (D) and Chandler Davey (D) will help make up a backline around GK Riley Hennings. In front of them, they have talent in juniors Addie Mercer (MF), Kendall Hiatt (F/MF) and Natalie Mezarina (F).
Monarch Coyotes
Coach: Katy Wood
Last year’s result: 7-8-1, lost in the first round of playoffs.
Testing 1-2-3: Senior forward Sophia Stalter, a Colorado Mesa commit and four-year starter, led the Coyotes with 15 goals last year.
The Tea: The Coyotes will look to up their danger level with 10 seniors returning to the roster, and will look to Stalter, seniors Cami Ayandele (F), Maddie Kennedy (GK) and sophomore Millie Barber (GK) to provide meaningful minutes.
Class 5A/4A
Front Range League – North: Brighton, Erie, Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge, Loveland, Poudre, Prairie View, Rocky Mountain.
Erie Tigers
Coach: Jeff Vigil
Last year’s result: 9-5-3; reached the second round of the 4A postseason.
Testing 1-2-3: Senior Kayla Kirchoffner is one of the best goalkeepers in the state. The University of Arizona commit is coming off shoulder surgery, per Vigil.
The Tea: The Tigers have a talented, young midfield led by freshmen Elodie Kirchoffner and Taylin Maynes. Up front, junior Nonso Uwalaka (F) returns after scoring seven goals in 2023; — only behind grad Leah Price, who had 12 — and is joined up front by senior Brooklynn Vigil (F), a Columbia College commit. Seniors Gabby Gricius (D), Ella Jimenez (D), Elliot Dolan (D), Kelsie Cox (D) and junior Ava McGehan (MF) bring strong experience to the field.
Class 5A/4A/3A
Northern Colorado Athletics Conference: Centaurus, Greeley Central, Greeley West, Holy Family, Mead, Silver Creek, Windsor.
Centaurus Warriors
Coach: Mario Bezzina
Last year’s result: 6-8; finished fifth in NCAC.
Testing 1-2-3: Senior Nyah Ringer (F) is back after leading the team with nine goals last season.
The Tea: Ringer and fellow-senior Tiernan Meagher (D) are captains “leading our rather young team,” Bezzina said. Others to watch around them include junior Catherine Keenan (GK), who split time in net last year, and junior Anna Grace Schroer (MF). Bezzina said the team is hoping to build chemistry early “in order to be as competitive as possible in our league.”
Holy Family Tigers
Coach: Michelle Griego
Last year’s result: 8-7; finished second in NCAC and lost in the opening round of the 4A playoffs.
Testing 1-2-3: Sophomore Makaellia Giron (MF/F/D) led the team with 18 points last year, tallying six goals and six assists.
The Tea: The Tigers bring back a solid senior class led by Sydney Howorko (MF), Megan Schloffman and Tea Whitlock (D), all of whom are committed to play in college. Other returning contributors include junior Sophie Bertagnolli (D) and sophomores Paige Brown and Wynn Wagner (GK), who had 43 saves a year ago.
Mead Mavericks
Coach: Shane Adler
Last year’s result: 16-3, lost in the semifinals of playoffs.
Testing 1-2-3: Adler will look to junior Reese Ormsby, who contributed three goals and four assists last year, to provide meaningful minutes this year.
The Tea: Adler hopes to continue to build a strong, competitive culture upon the foundation the team laid last year, and will look to Ormsby, reigning Times-Call player of the year Katy Adler, senior Averi Williams, juniors Lexi Van Dyke, Caroline Kron and sophomore Elena Gomez to carry the torch.
Silver Creek Raptors
Coach: Rob Johnson
Last year’s result: 9-7, lost in the first round of playoffs.
Testing 1-2-3: The Raptors bring back a large senior class that makes up almost half of the varsity roster.
The Tea: Johnson hopes that his girls can compete and make a decent run in the postseason, and will look to seniors Hattie Fuller (MF), Nora Fry (striker), and juniors Sawyer Burchill (D) and Paige Schleper (MF) to lead the way.
Class 4A/3A
Longs Peak League: Fort Morgan, Frederick Mountain View, Niwot, Northridge, Riverdale Ridge, Severance, Skyline Roosevelt, Thompson Valley.
Frederick Golden Eagles
Coach: Simone Mortenson
Last year’s result: 8-7
Testing 1-2-3: Mortenson is back for her second year at the helm, giving the Golden Eagles some continuity after Sola Abolaji coached just one season in 2022.
The Tea: Senior Emma Phillips (MF) is back to her scoring ways, putting up four goals in her team’s opener against Longmont last week. Seniors Elaina Leitner (GK) and Athena White (F) are part of a “good group of returning players,” Mortenson said. She believes her team also has “some freshmen that should be able to contribute and make a difference.”
Niwot Cougars
Coach: Stephen Dimit
Last year’s result: 6-8-1
Testing 1-2-3: Senior forward Tracy Yu will be doubling up as one of the Cougars’ top soccer players and tennis players this spring.
The Tea: Dimit believes that while the team is young, the ladies will perform at a high level this year. So far, he likes the enthusiasm he’s seen and thinks that Yu, senior Margaux Boyer (D) and sophomore Mariah Fletemeyer (GK) will lead them forward.
Skyline Falcons
Coach: Luis Chavez
Last year’s result: 6-6-3
Testing 1-2-3: Senior Charlotte Manes, who has played on varsity since her freshman year, has committed to play collegiately at Maine Maritime Academy next season.
The Tea: Chavez believes that while his team is young, the girls bring skill, chemistry and a drive to make the postseason. He said Manes, juniors Lauren Pratt (GK), Natalie Shaeffer (D/MF), Moriah Nates (D/M) and senior Yairid Garcia (MF/F) can help them get there.
Class 3A/2A
Metro League: Colorado Academy, Eagle Ridge Academy, Forge Christian, Jefferson Academy, Kent Denver, Manual, Peak to Peak, Prospect Ridge, St. Mary’s Academy, Stargate School, The Academy.
Jefferson Academy Jaguars
Coach: Matt Cassell
Last year’s result: 18-2; split the 3A/2A Metro title with Colorado Academy; won the 3A state title.
Testing 1-2-3: Cassell moved in to coach the girls’ program last spring and led the Jags to their second state title in program history.
The Tea: Senior Gianna Gagliano (MF/F) is back after scoring 32 goals last spring, fifth-most in the state. She opened the season with five goals and an assist in a 10-0 win over Middle Park last weekend. Other notable returners include seniors Sara Welsch (MF), Emma Parker (MF) and Elsa Nygren (F). “First thing is to make the playoffs and try and be playing good soccer by the time we hit May,” Cassell said.
Peak to Peak Pumas
Coach: Phil Mehalko
Last year’s result: 7-7-2, lost in the second round of playoffs.
Testing 1-2-3: Kyra Magnuson (MF) will serve as the lone senior in the program, as the Pumas also welcome a Swedish foreign exchange student, junior Hanna Bjorkland (D).
The Tea: Mehalko believes the Pumas could be “the surprise team of the year” in 3A, thanks to a strong junior class, which will be supplemented by the talent of sophomore Ellie Hayes (MF), and juniors Ashley Aragon (MF) and Maren Bradley (D).
Prospect Ridge Academy Miners
Coach: Michael Hill
Last year’s result: 14-4, third in the Metropolitan League, lost in the quarterfinals of playoffs.
Testing 1-2-3: Senior keeper Ava Stockard, a Colgate University commit, will be expected to lead the Miners from the goal box as she brings valuable leadership and goalkeeping skills.
The Tea: The Miners will look to build on their recent success with a new head coach, who will look to Stockard, juniors Sierra Bennett (MF), Kayah Robbins (D/F), Shaye Grote (D/MF) and freshman Sarah Sellers (MF) to play key roles moving forward.
Patriot League: Berthoud, Estes Park, Frontier Academy, Liberty Common, Longmont, Sterling, Timnath, Valley, Weld Central, Wellington.
Longmont Trojans
Coach: Patricia Pless
Last year’s result: 10-6, lost in the first round of playoffs.
Testing 1-2-3: The Trojans return five players — seniors Sophia Ormsby (D), Samantha Whitted (MF), juniors Cielo Gartenmann (MF), Ella Erwin (F), and Kendal Finley (D) — who were vital to their bid to the postseason last year.
The Tea: Alongside their veteran talent, the Trojans believe a strong freshman class will help them build upon last year’s success. In 2023, they made the tournament for the first time in nearly a decade despite missing their only keeper for five games.
Class 2A
Metro Hills West: Campion Academy, Clear Creek, Dawson, Gilpin County, Loveland Classical, Nederland, Twin Peaks Charter, Union Colony, Windsor Charter.
Dawson Mustangs
Coach: John Welsch
Last year’s result: 13-4; won the Mile High West League and reached the 2A quarterfinals
Testing 1-2-3: Senior Lauren Muniz (MF) is committed to play soccer at Harvard.
The Tea: The Mustangs bring back some talented pieces from last season, including scoring-leader Kanoe Bihag (F), who had 35 goals as a freshman, 33 as a sophomore and already has seven in her first two games this year. Their midfield will be led by returners Muniz and junior Maddie Abel. “We lost a large senior class and we are young,” Welsch said. “We’re hoping to play our best soccer in April and May.”
Nederland Panthers
Coach: Luis González
Last year’s result: 3-10-1
Testing 1-2-3: The Panthers return senior forward Echo Siglin, who led them with five goals last season.
The Tea: The Panthers welcome back a large group of upperclassmen with five freshman joining the roster.
Twin Peaks Timberwolves
Coach: Kelly Romero
Last year’s result: 2-10-1
Testing 1-2-3: Senior midfielder/defender Ella Schauer returns to the pitch after leading the girls basketball team to its best season ever and first appearance in the state tournament.
The Tea: The Timberwolves boast a large lineup that’s heavy on sophomores and upperclassmen as they look to build upon last year’s finish.
POINT ME TO THE POSTSEASON
The regular season for all classifications is slated to be finished by May 4. All championship games will be played at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, with 3A and 4A going May 21, and 2A and 5A May 22.
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