The Kent Denver and Cherry Creek girls lacrosse teams might need to take a trip back to a kindergarten classroom for a refresher course on sharing.
The defending state champion Sun Devils and the Bruins have passed the last five state championships back and forth, and pulling that trophy away from these programs won’t be easy.
Both are back as strong as ever.
“I’m of two minds: First, we look pretty good on paper, but on the other hand, I’m the last person in the world who wants to put a bull’s-eye on the back of my team,” Kent Denver coach Greg Courter said.
The first games of the season are March 9, and the championship game will be played on May 17.
Look for Kent Denver to be in the hunt again, and Danielle Kachulis should be a big reason why. The speedy All-American, who will be honored at the Sportswomen of Colorado banquet March 12, lit up the nets for 54 goals last season by sprinting past the competition.
Kent Denver will return another All-American in Molly Parker, who will attend Dartmouth this fall. Junior goalkeeper Erin Tochihara also is back, as are Caroline Duke (bound for Colby) and defender Kate Gaffigan (Syracuse).
Cherry Creek, state champions in 2003 and 2004, also starts the season with great expectations. Lexi Sanders, Perrie White and Katie Gold head a program that has appeared in eight consecutive title games.
Colorado Academy, Smoky Hill and Heritage have the talent to challenge for the title, and a handful of teams that have been on the outside looking in over the years could be ready to make a move.
“The parity might not be there yet, but it’s getting there,” Cherry Creek coach Cayel Dwyer said. “Kent is the favorite by returning practically everybody from a championship team, but teams like Smoky Hill, Golden and Mullen are stepping up to a whole new level.”
Golden is led by the state’s top goal scorer last season in Ashley Johnson. Johnson does not have the speed of Kachulis, but she does have the best shot in the state, according to some coaches. Smoky Hill’s Amber Lister is another speedy player to watch out for.
