Five years ago, when Kent Denver’s seventh-grade field hockey team beat the eighth-grade team, the young upstarts made a pact to win a state title during their senior year.
The Lifers, as the group of six Sun Devils who have played together those five years call themselves, made good on that promise by beating Colorado Academy 2-0 for the second year in a row in the state field hockey championship game Monday night at All-City Stadium.
No matter that Kent Denver has won three titles in a row, and six in eight years. This one meant the most.
“This is a dream come true. We’ve been dreaming of this since the seventh grade, and we said we were going to do it when we were seniors,” said Lauren Miller, who will play for Duke University next season. “I’ve been a part of so many teams and competed in amazing events around the world, and nothing compares to this.”
The Lifers – Miller, Danielle Kachulis, Molly Parker, Caroline Taylor, Meredith Ackerman and goalkeeper Sarah Bacon – helped put together a 17-0 season and have strung together the longest winning streak (21 games) since the sport was sanctioned in 1997. The Sun Devils allowed just three goals this season, all by Colorado Academy (14-4).
Miller, the game’s most valuable player, clinched the game with a goal off Lauren Woodman’s assist in the 41st minute of play. But it was the stroke Miller did not take that arguably was the best play of the night.
Locked in a scoreless battle, Miller feigned a shot set up by a penalty corner and let the ball roll to Greta Meyer, who sent it toward the net. Her attempt bounced up and off the stick of Kachulis for the goal, and Colorado Academy goalkeeper Courtney Engle did not have a chance.
“It just deflected off my stick. The same thing happened last year,” said Kachulis, who like Miller will attend Duke, but will play lacrosse. “For me, this is the best (championship) of the three by far because it’s my senior year.”
Colorado Academy, despite just one shot on goal, had its chances. With 15 minutes left to play, Mariah Schuette centered into a crowd and onto the stick of Catherine Quinn, but the redirected shot went wide. Minutes later Morgan Miller had her shot kicked away by Bacon, and shortly after that Ashley Peterson’s attempt hit the left post.
“We are a team that likes to move the ball up the field,” Mustangs coach Katy Hills said. “Kent kept intercepting our passes and we couldn’t get any momentum going.”
Said Kent Denver coach Kathy James: “(Colorado Academy) is such a phenomenal team. I come into games against them legitimately excited and nervous. … Some of these girls have been playing for me for three years, and Lauren for four. They are committed to the sport, and they subconsciously know where each other will be.”
Colorado Academy 0 0 – 0
Kent Denver 1 1 – 2
Goals – Kachulis (Meyer), KD, 26th minute; Miller (Woodman), KD, 41st. Shots on goals – Colorado Academy 0-1 – 1; Kent Denver 2-3 – 5. Saves – Colorado Academy (Engle) 1-2 – 3; Kent Denver (Bacon) 0-1 – 1. Penalty corners – Colorado Academy 0-2 – 2; Kent Denver 2-6 – 8.
MVP – Lauren Miller, Kent Denver, senior
