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PLAYERS TO KNOW
Makena Bambei, Sr., Broomfield: The reigning BoCoPreps.com Player of the Year and Front Range League Player of the Year is back to lead the Eagles on another deep playoff run.
Kristin Barbour, Sr., Monarch: Committed to Villanova University, the senior defender will anchor the Coyotes’ defense, which expects to be one of the toughest in the Front Range League.
Lexi Dageenakis, Sr., Silver Creek: Already one of the top defensive midfielders around, she could also see an increase in her scoring numbers this season.
Jayla Elstad, Sr., Jefferson Academy: One of the top goal-scoring options returning to the Jaguars, who after last season graduated three players to combined to score 66 goals in 2015.
Laura Greer, Sr., Boulder: An early favorite be a top scorer for the Panthers and claim a spot on the prestigious Front Range League all-conference first team.
Maddison Hogan, Sr., Centaurus: She returns to anchor a Warriors defense that will likely play a major role in how successful the Warriors are this season.
Kaylee Kennedy, Sr., Legacy: Signed to play collegiately at Colorado School of Mines, she’ll look to ramp up the scoring to help the Lightning on another run through the Front Range League.
Maddie Kessler, Sr., Mead: After sitting out last season, she expects to take the field for the Mavericks before heading off to play for Colorado State next year.
Caroline Miller, Sr., Erie: She led the Tigers with 17 goals and 14 assists in the team’s first season last spring.
Sariah Orocu, Sr., Skyline: Signed to play Division-I soccer at Arkansas-Pine Bluff next year, the talented goalkeeper will be a difference-maker for the Falcons yet again.
POSTSEASON INFORMATION
Regular season for all classifications ends May 6, and CHSAA will release announce seeded brackets on May 8. Single-elimination tournaments run from May 10-25, with the championship games to be played May 24 (Class 2A and 3A) and May 25 (Class 4A and 5A) at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.
TEAM-BY-TEAM OUTLOOK
BOULDER PANTHERS
Coach: Jason LaMere (first season).
Last year: 7-7-1 overall, 5-6-1 Front Range League; missed 5A playoffs.
Returning starters: Emma Dooley (Jr., D); Laura Greer (Sr., F); Alia Mentzell (So., M); Lauren Moss (Jr., M); Siri O’Donnell (Jr., D); Jess Tierney (Sr., F); Kenzie Tierney (Sr., M).
Others to watch: Zoe Kellermyer (So., GK); Ally Pauletto (Sr., F); Greyson Payes (Jr., D).
Outlook: With a new head coach and a large team with many new players, Boulder is looking for a fresh start and new style. After narrowly missing out on the playoffs last year, the Panthers hope a significant number of seniors will help them make a run at the playoffs this year. O’Donnell leads a solid defense while Jess Tierney and Greer lead an explosive forward line.
BROOMFIELD EAGLES
Coach: Jim Davidson (19th season).
Last year: 17-2-1 overall, 10-1-1 Front Range League; advanced to 5A championship game.
Returning starters: Makena Bambei (Sr., M); Jordan Goodwin (Jr., M); Brooklyn Mooney (Sr., M), Shannon Mooney (Sr., GK), Cara Quinn (Jr., D), Michaela Stark (Sr., F); Hailey Stodden (So., F); Elle Webber (Jr., D); Zoe Zinis (Sr., D).
Others to watch: Gia Lemley (So., F); Jesse Mooney (So., D).
Outlook: After an incredible run to the 5A final and winning the Front Range League in their first year playing up in Class 5A, the Eagles enter the 2016 season ranked 10th in the nation by the USA Today/NSCAA preseason poll. They won’t surprise anyone this season and with excellent depth and experience returning all over the field, that likely won’t be a problem for the Eagles. Veteran coach Jim Davidson said the Eagles’ athleticism and technical ability is the best it has ever been in the program.
CENTAURUS WARRIORS
Coach: Mario Bezzina (seventh season).
Last year: 9-7-1 overall, 5-2 Northern League; advanced to second round of 4A playoffs.
Returning starters: Maddison Hogan (Sr., D); Laura Leibfried (So., M); Rachel Mahar (Jr., M); Jamie Turcotte (Sr., M).
Others to watch: Kaeley Jenkins (Sr., M); Elizabeth Maierhofer (Sr., F); Roxana Vranian (So., GK); Moniphon Xiong (Jr., M).
Outlook: At the end of last season, the Warriors graduated a solid group of six seniors that helped them upset Valor Christian in the first round of the 2015 state tournament. The Warriors will field a young squad this season but under the guidance of key players Maddi Hogan, who is signed to play for Colorado Christian next year, Jamie Turcotte and Rachel Mahar, they still expect to challenge for a playoff spot.
DAWSON SCHOOL MUSTANGS
Coach: John Siegrist (first season).
Last year: 11-7 overall, 3-1 Region 5; advanced to 2A championship game.
Returning starters: Amelia Boone (So., D); Sophie Brussell (Sr., M); Cassidy Donohue (So., D); Lindsey Gallop (Sr., M); Emma Grizack (Sr., D); Hannah Isenhart (Jr., M); Izzy Roshko (Sr., F); Sage Roshko (So., F).
Others to watch: Cameron Epstein (Fr., F); Emily Hicks (Fr., D).
Outlook: The Mustangs were one win away from becoming Colorado’s first 2A state champion last season. With plenty of players back from the 2015 state runner-up team, including senior captain Lindsey Gallop, the Dawson girls have the potential to make another deep playoff run under first-year head coach John Siegrist.
ERIE TIGERS
Coach: Dayton Owens (second season).
Last year: 8-7 overall, 4-3 Tri-Valley League; missed 4A playoffs.
Returning starters: Elise Capra (So., D); Maddie Foster (Jr., D); Tiana Linkus (Jr., D); Megan Marcoux (Jr., D); Caroline Miller (Sr., F); Kennidy Sakalosky (So., D).
Others to watch: Alicia Cardenas (Fr., M); Ashley Freeburg (Jr., M); Katie Gaze (Sr., GK); McKenna Harrington (Fr., M); Alison McNeal (Fr., F); Shuanah Xiong (Fr., M); Malin Zornow (Jr., M).
Outlook: Finishing above the .500 mark in their first-ever season made the Tigers’ 2015 campaign a successful one. While this year’s club only has two seniors and will be young, Tigers head coach Dayton Owens thinks an increase of club players and overall talent should give the Tigers a chance to finish top three in the Tri-Valley. Senior Caroline Miller (17 goals, 14 assists) was good for nearly 50 points last season.
FAIRVIEW KNIGHTS
Coach: Dan Niedringhaus (fourth season).
Last year: 11-5-1 overall, 8-3-1 Front Range League; advanced to second round of 5A playoffs.
Returning starters: Skyler Anderson (So., F); Vicky Cassarubias (Sr., D); Olivia Hays (Jr., M); Emily Kaplan (Sr., D); Kate O’Neil (Sr., F); Tea Smith (Jr., F); Sierra Szeto (Sr., M); Allison Zech (Sr., D).
Others to watch: Brook Berdan (Fr., F); Emma Carter (Fr., F); Mannon Frykholm (So., M); Talia Hatami (Fr., M); Sarina Russ (Fr., M).
Outlook: After graduating a strong class of seniors last year, Niedringhaus is looking to find players to step up both in the back and in the attack. Expect the current senior class to lead the way and for an incredibly talented and eager freshman group to make an immediate impact, even in the tough Front Range League.
FREDERICK WARRIORS
Coach: J Doehring (second year).
Last year: 8-6-1 overall, 3-4-1 Tri-Valley League; missed 4A playoffs.
Returning starters: Taylor Brooks (Jr., D); Annie Feuto (Jr., F); Ryann Giggey (Sr., D); Riley Juenemann (Jr., D); Aisha Leo Naya (So., M); Amalia Rolf (Sr., GK); Thania Ruiz (Sr., D); Jaydn Wellbrock (Sr., M); Jordyn Wellbrock (Sr., F).
Others to watch: Shea Chavez (Fr., M); Brenna Christen (Fr., M).
Outlook: The Warriors graduated just two seniors from last year’s team but one of them was Sam Teller, who was far and away the team’s top scoring threat. While they look for new ways to score goals, the Warriors, who consider last year’s eight-win campaign a step in the right direction, can rely on a veteran defensive group to keep them in games.
HOLY FAMILY TIGERS
Coach: George Connolly (eighth season).
Last year: 9-7 overall, 6-1 Tri-Valley League; reached 4A playoffs.
Returning starters: Olivia Bartoletti (Sr., F); Katelyn Caviness (Jr., F); Charly Clements (Sr., M); Morgan Gray (Sr., D); Shannon Langfield (Sr., D); Emma Stokes (Sr., D).
Others to watch: Cody Clements (Fr., M); Ceili Opp (Fr., M); McKailyn Quast (Jr., M); AliBeth Ryan (Sr., GK); Nicolette Sandoval (Fr., M); Carmen Woods (Jr., M).
Outlook: The Tigers held their own in their first year at the Class 4A level in 2015. Their seven losses were all by one goal and three were in overtime. The Tigers expect to play similarly excellent defense but are working to score more goals in order to improve on last year’s win total.
JEFFERSON ACADEMY JAGUARS
Coach: Denis Sutton (fourth season).
Last year: 16-3 overall, 8-1 Metro League; advanced to 3A championship game.
Returning starters: Jennika Chapman (Jr., M); Jayla Elstad (Sr., F); Kassidy Hastings (Sr., GK); Emily McParland (So., D); Kristi Nagai (Jr., D); Rachel Schlagel (So, F); Sidney Toratti (Jr. M).
Others to watch: Kara Dobbs (So., M); Samantha Spitz (Jr., M).
Outlook: After reaching the 3A state title game in 2015, the Jaguars set high expectations for themselves in 2016 even without 33-goal scorer Alycia Wright this season. They bring back a group of experienced players led by seniors Elstad and Hastings and are hoping for some young players to step up and help them through their tough schedule.
LEGACY LIGHTNING
Coach: Luke Meadows (second season).
Last year: 9-5-3 overall, 7-3-2 Front Range League; advanced to second round of 5A playoffs.
Returning starters: Grace Armstrong (So., M); Kaila Armstrong (Sr., M); Megan Becker (Jr., M); Carly Faust (Sr., D); Mikayla Goodman (Sr., D); Naomi Gurrola (Sr., F); Kaylee Kennedy (Sr., F); Sydney Schutter (Sr., GK); Kylie Thomas (Sr., M).
Others to watch: Parker Barnhardt (Jr., M); Grace Burnside (Fr., D); Analisa Carmosino (Fr., D); Erin Gibson (So., F); Makenna Gottschalk (So., GK); Amber Hurtado (Fr., M);Maddie Lester (Fr., D); Lindsey Lewis (Jr., D); Morgan Morrow (Jr., F).
Outlook: Leading scorer Makenna O’Grady graduated after last season but the Lightning returns nine of 11 starters from the 2015 team that won a playoff game. Even with the bulk of last year’s starting lineup back for another run, the Lightning will have to find way to replace O’Grady’s scoring in order to finish near the top of the Front Range League, which is arguably the best in the state.
LONGMONT TROJANS
Coach: Mike DiGiallonardo (third season).
Last year: 9-6-1 overall, 5-1-1 Northern League; reached 4A playoffs.
Returning starters: Colleen Bird (Sr., D); Bailee Fowler (Sr., D); Lexie Lisenbe (Jr., M); Tia Ramos (Sr., D); Jen Rhodes (Sr., M); Kaylah Waddle (Sr., F).
Others to watch: Amanda Kowalski (So., M); Franchesska Ramirez (So., GK); Bre Yakel (So., M).
Outlook: While early injuries have plagued the Trojans, Coach DiGiallonardo thinks his team will have a tough enough defense to compete for a Northern League title once everyone is healthy. The Trojans’ roster is filled with young talent and a deeper playoff run is the goal in 2016.
LONGMONT CHRISTIAN WARRIORS
Coach: Marianne Clausen (first season).
Last year: 1-7 overall, 0-3 2A Region 6; missed 2A playoffs.
Returning starters: Amanda Betsch (Jr., M); Maddie Lehnherr (So., M); Abbey Moore-Kneipp (Jr., M); Anna Stair (Sr., D).
Others to watch: None.
Outlook: The Warriors are in the process of building up their soccer program. First-year coach Marianne Clausen said the program has a number of good athletes who are hopeful they can grow as a team. She has faith in the returning players’ skills and leadership and expects them to provide a sense of stability to drive the team.
MEAD MAVERICKS
Coach: Mike Schulz (sixth season).
Last year: 4-9-2 overall, 1-4-2 Tri-Valley League; missed 4A playoffs.
Returning starters: Talia Busnardo (Sr., D); Sarah Imhof (Sr., D); Shaylee Jelinek (Sr., GK); Jessica Keener (Jr., D); Anna Maher (So., M); Kelsey Martin (Sr., M); Jaylin Meining (So., F); Hunter Pond (Sr., M).
Others to watch: Maddie Kessler (Sr., M); Peyton Fox (Fr., F); Tindra Norris (Sr., M); Katy Sanger (So., M); Shelby Smotzer (Fr., M).
Outlook: A rash of injuries made last season a rough one for the Mavericks, who are looking to regain their attacking form and winning ways in 2016. Getting back Colorado State University-recruit Maddie Kessler will help the club rebound from a forgettable 2015 campaign.
MONARCH COYOTES
Coach: Eric Schmidt (fourth season).
Last year: 11-4-1 overall, 9-2-1 Front Range League; reached 5A playoffs.
Returning starters: Kristin Barbour (Sr., D); Randi Deiter (Sr., D); Sarah Holland (Jr., M); Melissa Myer (Sr., F); Emiko Patterson (Sr., M); Aubrey Samuelson (Jr., M); Zoe Schmanski (Jr., F); Maegan Sours (Jr., M).
Others to watch: Sophia Chen (Jr., GK); Taylor Coble (Sr., D); Amy Grieser (Sr., D); Danni Kendrick (Jr., D); Izzy Koepping (Jr., M).
Outlook: Led by Villanova University-signee Kristin Barbour, the Coyotes enter the season ranked ninth in the CHSAANow.com preseason poll. Returning eight starters from last year’s team that finished second in the Front Range League, the Coyotes feel the experience and maturity provided by 15 upperclassmen will help compliment a high level of technical talent and depth that Coach Schmidt says has never been higher.
NEDERLAND PANTHERS
Coach: Mark Mabbett (first season).
Last year: 2-10 overall, 1-5 2A Region 6; missed 2A playoffs.
Returning starters: Chloe Lindstrom (Jr., F); Ivie Silva (Jr., M); Brieanna Sineni (Jr., M); Karen Sorokach (So., D).
Others to watch: Gabriella Bynum (Fr., D); Savannah Lindenberger (So., F); Nicole Silva (Sr., M); Caroline Wikholm (So., GK).
Outlook: Putting together just two wins a year ago, the 2015 season was a rough one for the Panthers. But under new head coach Mark Mabbett, the Panthers are regrouping and looking to grow as a team by first identifying their limitations and then working to exceed them.
NIWOT COUGARS
Coach: Rob Johnson (third season).
Last year: 8-4-3 overall, 4-1-2 Northern League; missed 4A playoffs.
Returning starters: Maddie Barkow (Jr., M); Ali Colvin (So., GK); Hannah Gray (Sr., F); Emily Greenspan (Jr., D); Emma Richards (Sr., F); Sarah Sypher (Sr., M); Lauren Wolf (Jr., M).
Others to watch: Anna McCarthy (So., F); Charlotte McCarthy (Jr., F); Makenzie Pasma (So., D).
Outlook: Considering all the injuries the Cougars sustained and how many young players were forced to fill in perhaps before they were ready, Coach Johnson said he was happy with how the Niwot club performed last season. But this season, the goal is the same as always: to compete for a Northern League title and put together a deep playoff run.
PEAK TO PEAK PUMAS
Coach: Joe Swanson (third season).
Last year: 10-6-1 overall, 6-3 3A Region 6; advanced to 3A quarterfinals.
Returning starters: Sara Branham (Jr., D); Emily Dee (So., D); Jordan Deger (So., D); Kenna Hazzard (Jr., F); Emily Maersk-Moller, (Sr., D); Alayna Mann (So., M); Quinn Precourt (So., D); Avery Ratzlaff (So., D); Rebecca Thompson (Jr., F).
Others to watch: Ashley Buck (Fr., M); Lindsay Hudson (Fr., F); Emma Shepherd (Fr., M).
Outlook: The Pumas completed an epic turnaround last season when they reached the 3A quarterfinals after winning just three games in 2014. They will look to build on that performance and have a good core group returning, including their entire defense, that thinks it can get the job done.
SILVER CREEK RAPTORS
Coach: Pat Monacelli (sixth season).
Last year: 9-5-1 overall, 5-1-1 Northern League; reached 4A playoffs.
Returning starters: Emily Atwood (Sr., M); Madison Bertrand (Sr., D); Lexi Dageenakis (Sr., M); Katy Foster (Sr., M); Bayly Herman (Sr., F).
Others to watch: Tianna Chandler (Sr., D); Maddie Kim (Jr., F); Denise King (Jr., M); Kaeyla Noble (So., GK); Hannah Shaner (Sr., M).
Outlook: After winning the Northern League title in 2015, Coach Monacelli expects the 2016 version of the Raptors to pick up right where they left off. Foster and Herman, who each scored a team-high eight goals last season, are back. So is all-conference defensive midfielder Lexi Dageenakis.
SKYLINE FALCONS
Coach: Luis Chavez (fourth season).
Last year: 8-8 overall, 5-2 Tri-Valley League; reached 4A playoffs.
Returning starters: Rachel Billeter (Jr., M); Sabrina Bridwell (So., F); Serene Fortes (So., F); Alaina Hellenberg (Jr., D); Kortney Honstein (Sr., D); Rachel Kissinger (Sr., D); Kenna Meier (So., GK); Kalen Niedling (So., D); Sariah Orocu (Sr., GK); Whitney Parkinson (Jr., M); Kaitlyn Sullivan (Sr., M).
Others to watch: Kendra Brown (Jr., F); Kylie Earhart (So., F); Eileen Gonzalez (Jr., M).
Outlook: Leading the way for the Falcons, goalkeeper Sariah Orocu returns for her senior season having recently signed with Arkansas-Pine Bluff women’s soccer. The Falcons feel they will have a strong defense and enough offensive firepower to again finish top three in the Tri-Valley League.
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