This one could have been worse.
Kent Denver, the two-time defending state field hockey champion, peppered Smoky Hill with shot after shot in a 6-0 semifinal victory Wednesday night at All-City Stadium.
Had it not been for goalkeeper Alisha Miyazawa, Smoky Hill coach Mike Renes said the score “probably could have been 15-0.”
But Miyazawa stopped 16 of Kent Denver’s 22 shots, including 11 in the first half.
“She is a very talented goalie,” said Kent Denver’s Danielle Kachulis, who scored a goal and assisted on three others. “We don’t expect to get a high score in any game, but we have a lot of speed and a lot of talent on the forward line. We come out every game expecting it to be the best game we’ve played.”
Kent Denver, winner of five state titles since 1997, remained undefeated (16-0) and ran its record over the past four seasons to 64-3-1. The Sun Devils will play Colorado Academy in the title game, a rematch of last season’s final that Kent Denver won 2-0.
Smoky Hill (11-3-2) has made nine semifinal appearances and last won a title in 1999.
Remi Dikeou scored the first and last goals of the game, but what happened in between was a lesson in field hockey by the Sun Devils.
“This team always plays its hardest, but we always know we can play better,” Dikeou said.
Kent Denver allowed Smoky Hill just two shots on goal, none in the second half, and the pressure seemed to be focused on Miyazawa’s net all game.
“Chaos,” Miyazawa said. “When I go out there I know I have to give 100 percent. I try not to let it get to me (when the shots keep coming), but it was a crazy atmosphere.”
Lauren Woodman, Kelly Hopley and Molly Parker scored goals for Kent Denver to go with Dikeou’s two and Kachulis’ shot in the 47th minute. Parker’s possibly was one of the finest of the season. Standing about 10 yards out to the right of the goal, Parker ripped her shot over Miyazawa’s left shoulder from a seemingly impossible angle.
Lauren Miller, bound for Duke University and the consensus best player in the state, assisted on Hopley’s goal.
Smoky Hill 0 0 – 0
Kent Denver 2 4 – 6
Goals – Dikeou (Kachulis), KD, 13th minute; Woodman (Kachulis), KD, 25th; Hopley (Miller), KD, 32nd; Parker (unassisted), KD, 44th; Kachulis (Meyer), KD, 47th; Dikeou (Kachulis), KD, 53rd. Shots on goal – Smoky Hill 2-0 – 2; Kent Denver 13-9 – 22. Saves – Smoky Hill (Miyazawa) 11-5 – 16; Kent Denver (Bacon) 2-0 – 2. Penalty corners – Smoky Hill 1-2 – 3; Kent Denver 8-5 – 13.
