Ralston Valley junior Laurie Gleason is off to a strong start this spring season, leading Class 5A with 10 goals and four assists through five games.
Gleason is returning from a strong sophomore season in 2023, where he had 21 goals and 14 assists, helping lead the Mustangs to the second round of the postseason.
Now, her team went 3-1-1 earlier this year and she is one of the most productive players in the state.
In this week's look at women's soccer, we delve into some individual standouts and what they mean to their respective teams.
Class 5A
Laurie Gleason, Ralston Valley: After recording 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists), he ranked ninth (4 goals, 1 point) in big wins against Fruita Monument and Monarch earlier this month, and after scoring, he brought his class-leading points total to 24. Pushed it to the point. He scored two goals in a 4-0 win at Rocky Mountain on Tuesday.
The Mustangs won their first postseason game since 2019 a year ago and advanced to the second round, so they are expected to be in the postseason mix again.
Gleason could be in an even deeper race this spring.
Brooke Davis, Fruita Memorial: The sophomore goalie has already faced 78 shots this spring season and stopped 60 of them.
That's much more than anyone else in the class.
The Wildcats (0-4-1) are a big step down from last year's 12-4 team and are winless through five games this season.
Davis appears to be at the center of a group of young players who are still finding their identity.
class 4A
Pearson Weimer, Pueblo County: The senior is tied among the goals and points leaders in this class with nine goals and 22 goals through three games.
The Hornets look to build on their 12 wins from 2023, going 3-0 in 2024 and outscoring teams 25-1.
Last Thursday, Weimer scored four goals and had two helpers in a 10-0 win over Pueblo East, the program's 22nd straight victory over a crosstown rival.
Katie Clinesmith, Lewis Palmer: The junior netminder has 44 saves on the year, seven of which came Saturday as the Rangers beat Canon City 1-0 to get back in the win column.
LP (4-1) advanced to the postseason in 2023 for the first time since 2019. Clinesmith appears to have a big role in where they go in 2024.
She has stopped 44 of the 45 shots she has faced. In her 1-0 loss to 5A Highlands Ranch last week, she allowed one goal on 18 shots.
class 3A
Vianey Gonzalez-Ortega, Rocky Mountain Prep SMART: The junior has the most goals (10) and points (22) in RMPS' class and is undefeated in three games.
The Denver school has had back-to-back seasons with double-digit wins, thanks in large part to Gonzalez Ortega, who scored 50 goals in his first two seasons.
However, RMPS is a national team founded in 2017 and is still looking for its first win in the postseason.
Emily Rowe, James Irwin: The senior goalie recorded double-digit saves in each of the first three games, leading the Jags to two wins and one tie.
It's been at least 15 years since James Irwin won. However, 2024 is off to a strong start.
After wins over Ellicott and Sand Creek, Rowe stopped 19 shots in a 2-2 tie against St. Mary's a week ago.
class 2A
Joseline Vasquez, Bruce Randolph: Vazquez (10 goals, 11 assists) led the class with 31 points. Her teammates Susan Aranda (13, 4) and Jacqueline Oropeza (13, 4), 30, are right behind her.
The Grizzlies (6-0) were the last team in the 16-team postseason field a year ago. But early in 2024, they became one of the most dominant teams in the state, outscoring their opponents 57-7.
Oropeza had five goals and two assists in a 10-0 win over Manual on Friday, while Vazquez added a goal and two assists of his own.
Kaylee Gentsch, Banning Lewis Academy: The senior has scored 12 goals for the Stallions (2-1), who have played in three games and totaled double-digit goals.
They beat Trinidad 12-0 earlier this month, then lost to Lamar 10-0 and won 7-6 against Florence last week.
Gentsch had five goals and two assists in last Thursday's game against the Huskies.
