Lucy Dikeou had to talk to a goalie to really learn how to beat a goalie.
“Earlier this season, I wasn’t doing so well with that and my goalie helped me out, like to come up with a move,” the Kent Denver freshman forward said. “So I have to thank Lizzy (Clark) for that.”
The Sun Devils faithful might want to thank Clark after Dikeou scored two goals and added an assist as Kent Denver advanced to the state final Wednesday with a 4-1 semifinal victory over Mountain Vista at All-City Stadium.
In the rubber match between the teams, the second-seeded Sun Devils (14-2-1) counterattacked early and effectively to stun the No. 3 Golden Eagles (11-5-1) with three goals in the first half and another in the 43rd minute.
Kent Denver, which has won seven field hockey state titles since 1998, advances to face Cherry Hills Village neighbor and fifth-seeded St. Mary’s Academy here in Monday’s championship game.
Dikeou opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a nifty slalom run through two defenders and around goalie Kassidy Willie. Jesse Burke redirected Dikeou’s pass into the upper corner to make it 2-0 in the 14th minute, and Krista D’Alessandro scored off a penalty corner to put the Sun Devils up 3-0 in the 22nd.
“They only made a few mistakes, but we were able to capitalize on them,” Dikeou said.
Dikeou struck again 13 minutes into the second half before the Golden Eagles got on the board with a goal from Emily Bayless.
“I think we got in their heads a little bit because we scored so early,” Burke said. “But I think teamwork is what it is. We wanted it.”
Bayless agreed. The senior thought the Sun Devils played with more determination and notched a big psychological victory by scoring right after the Golden Eagles, who had just two shots on goal, enjoyed long minutes of offensive pressure.
“It kind of shut us down,” Bayless said. “When they score first it was like we didn’t know what to do. I think it got in our heads.”
Another subplot Burke said energized the Sun Devils was that their coach, Kathy James, is married to Mountain Vista coach Brian Nutter.
Mountain Vista 0 1 — 1
Kent Denver 3 1 — 4
Goals – KD: Dikeou (unassisted), 4th minute; Burke (Dikeou), 14th; D’Alessandro (Hoholik), 22nd; Dikeou (unassisted), 43rd; MV: Bayless (unassisted), 47th.
Shots on goal – Mountain Vista 1-1 – 2; Kent Denver 5-2 – 7. Saves – Mountain Vista (Willie) 2-1 – 3; Kent Denver (Clark 30 minutes, Raeder 30) 1-0 – 1.
Penalty corners – Mountain Vista 4-4 – 8; Kent Denver 6-0 – 6.
