Mixing pessimism and realism, Faith Christian coach Will Lind can conjure a laundry list of things that can go wrong in a soccer state championship match.
There could be a fluke goal, a strange wind, a bad call, a lightning delay that allows a team to regroup or cool off, a penalty kick, or unfocused seniors, to name a few.
“I take nothing for granted,” Lind said. “Things I think aren’t going to happen, usually happen.”
That prospect alone should make for an interesting Class 3A championship at 6 p.m. today when Faith Christian (16-0-2), the top-seeded defending state champion, takes on No. 2 Kent Denver (15-2-1) at the North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada in a clash of the top offensive and defensive teams.
The Eagles have won 10 straight since being held to a scoreless draw with Colorado Academy. In that run, the Eagles knocked off Metropolitan League rival Kent Denver 2-0.
The Eagles’ front six draw the most attention, behind returning 3A player of the year Marissa Ranberger, who will play at Oral Roberts next season. Ranberger’s speed, height and ability to dribble and pass the ball make her the focus of any defense.
That focus creates holes and mismatches, something the Eagles have learned to exploit, especially with the addition of Highlands Ranch transfer Nicole Lukens in midfield.
In their April 29 meeting, the Eagles played perhaps their best half of soccer on the Sun Devils’ home pitch.
With Lukens and all-state senior Kathleen Paulsen alternating as attacking and holding midfielders, the Eagles were able to quickly transition and attack from multiple positions. Freshman forward Athena Lopez was the star, knocking in both goals.
“They have such good skilled midfielders, and if we let them pass the ball around and control the tempo, we’re going to be on our heels,” Sun Devils coach Daniel Gilden said.
The Sun Devils, champions in 2000, were missing one key player in that loss – standout goalie Brianna Dix. Dix is back and will help anchor a defense that includes Suzanne Stawiarski, Adrienne Goetz, Britta Holum and Halley Everall.
The Sun Devils counterpunch extremely well behind standout Alex Marsh, speedy flanker Erin McGonagle and the dominating presence of Marsha Harper.
History also favors the Sun Devils. No team has won back-to-back titles in 3A and, more often than not, the No. 1 seed has been equivalent to the kiss of death.
