FORT COLLINS — Colorado’s hierarchy of field hockey powers has been set in stone for the past 11 years the sport has been sanctioned.
Sure, Kent Denver owns the most state titles with seven. But Cherry Creek is still Cherry Creek, and a win over the Bruins is always a notch in the belt of any team that wants to challenge.
The defending champion Bruins (4-2) were up to the test Saturday at Fossil Ridge, fending off an early threat from Fort Collins’ co-op team, the Poudre School District Fire, and posting a 3-0 victory.
“There is no room for complacency,” Cherry Creek coach Ashley Thompson said. “The top six teams is now up to the top six, seven, eight teams and the competition is much greater. We may take the Creek name for granted sometimes, but we need that and it benefits us.”
Early on, the Fire (2-2-1) had the play in its offensive end. But the Bruins’ defenders — minus two on college visits — of Rebecca Gleichenhaus, Rachael Ingwers, Maeve McHugh and Hartley Mellick were all very good in front of freshman goalie Anya Gersoff.
Gersoff, who splits time with fellow freshman Kayla Wiggin, made three saves in her 30 minutes of work and kept the Fire off the scoreboard.
“I’m learning how to boss people around a little bit better,” said Gersoff, who watched Wiggin make four stops in the second half.
“We had our chances,” said Fire coach Nick Morales, “but (Gersoff) was good and we just didn’t hit the post on time.”
Bailey Zerr sandwiched her two goals around Sara Tan-abe’s goal for the Bruins’ scoring.
Cherry Creek 2 1 — 3
Poudre School District 0 0 — 0
Goals — Zerr (Ellickson), 10th minute; S. Tanabe (unassisted), 28th; Zerr (unassisted), 34th.
Shots on goal — Cherry Creek 8-6 — 14, Poudre School District 3-4 — 7. Saves — Cherry Creek (Gersoff, 30 minutes) 3-0 — 3, (Wiggin, 30 minutes) 0-4 — 4; Poudre School District (Harding) 6-5 — 11. Penalty corners — Cherry Creek 4-0 — 4, Poudre School District 5-3 — 8.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
