In dominating fashion, Colorado Academy avenged its regular-season loss to the Cherry Creek Bruins on Wednesday night.
Next on the revenge tour is Kent Denver, which beat the Mustangs in last season’s state field hockey final and twice more this season.
“We definitely wanted to get back from that 2-0 loss (to the Bruins),” Colorado Academy’s Morgan Miller said.
Miller scored three goals in the Mustangs’ 6-1 victory over Cherry Creek in the semifinal round at All-City Stadium, sending Colorado Academy to its second state final in two years.
The Mustangs’ last championship came in 1997, the first year the sport was sanctioned by the Colorado High School Activities Association. They will play five-time winner Kent Denver on Monday.
Ashley Peterson opened the scoring in the 10th minute with an assist from Brittany Bland, and Colorado Academy (14-3) took a 4-0 lead – scoring a goal every 10 minutes – before the Bruins (12-2-1) got on the board.
“It was really surprising, especially because we lost to them earlier in the season,” Logan Brown said. “I think we realized this season that it is our turn.”
Mariah Schuette followed Peterson’s goal in the 20th minute, Miller recorded her first in the 30th, seconds before the end of the first half, and Brown scored in the 40th. Brown also had two assists, setting up Miller on the final two goals.
Miller’s last goal was generated by a 30-yard pass from Brown that found Miller all alone behind Cherry Creek’s defense. She drilled her shot from 12 yards out to beat Maddie Hand.
“The 2-0 loss added fuel to our fire,” Colorado Academy coach Katy Hills said. “Our goal was to dictate the pace of the game, and I think we did that.”
Keleigh McLaughlin scored the Bruins’ lone goal, and she was as surprised as anybody to find her team on the wrong end of a lopsided score.
“We weren’t expecting anything easy, win or lose, but they gave it to us,” McLaughlin said. “Once they scored the first one, it seemed like they just kept putting them in.”
Cherry Creek 0 1 – 1
Colorado Academy 3 3 – 6
Goals – Peterson (Bland), CA, 10th minute; Schuette (unassisted), CA, 20th; Miller (Quinn), CA, 30th; Brown (unassisted), CA, 40th; McLaughlin (unassisted), CC, 43rd; Miller (Brown), CA, 44th; Miller (Brown), CA, 57th. Shots on goal – Cherry Creek 1-3 – 4; Colorado Academy 4-5 – 9. Saves – Cherry Creek (Hand) 1-2 – 3; Colorado Academy (Engle) 1-2 – 3. Penalty corners – Cherry Creek 1-3 – 4; Colorado Academy 1-5 – 6.
