In terms of power and talent, not a lot changes in the world of girls soccer — from Class 5A down to 3A. The story lines and details, however, provide enough subplots to give the old guard some new feelings.
Take 5A preseason No. 1-ranked Arapahoe. The Warriors have arguably the best crop of talent returning and enough tradition to stuff several trophy cases, but their return to the Centennial League signals a power shift and a new batch of stadiums and styles to adapt to. To wit, the Centennial gets even deeper, while the Continental League, from which Arapahoe came, loses some shine.
While old rivalries (Arapahoe-Heritage) will wane, new ones (against Cherry Creek, which knocked the Warriors out of the playoffs last year, and defending champion Grandview) will sharpen.
“Hopefully we’ll find out a little more about ourselves,” Warriors coach Kirk Bast said.
Bast also gets to coach his standout daughter, Kaitlin, for her senior season, something he knows will provide a lot of interesting reflection as the season unfolds.
Heritage, fresh off a state runner-up finish after years of heartbreaking losses in the semifinals, reloads with seven returning starters and strong youth. Rocky Mountain, Air Academy and East should have enough talent to spar with the heavyweights.
In 4A, Golden and Niwot are proven programs desperate to win that elusive title. Niwot, which beat Golden in the semifinals last year, welcomes new coach Heather Solar, who is going “Dutch” with the Cougars — a 4-3-3 formation that attacks from the edges.
“You have three up top in a girls system, and it’s (really hard) to defend them,” Solar said.
Translation: The Cougars are attacking more than they did in the past.
At Golden, which has never had a lack of attackers, the Demons are hungry to take the next step.
“We’re not the silent sleeper anymore,” Demons coach Bill Hillen said.
While 4A loses one power that prefers light blue (Ralston Valley), it gains another (Valor Christian).
In 3A, defending champion Faith Christian loses top player Athena Lopez to a transfer, while two-time runner-up St. Mary’s has enough returning starters to give it one more run.
5A TOP 10
1. Arapahoe
2. Heritage
3. Chatfield
4. Rocky Mountain
5. Cherry Creek
6. Air Academy
7. Grandview
8. East
9. Fairview
10. Highlands Ranch
5A PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kaitlin Bast, Arapahoe, Sr.; Hayley Coniglio, Ralston Valley, Jr.; Mara Cosgrove, Legacy, Sr.; Alex Dohm, Liberty, Jr.; Katerina Garcia, Durango, Sr.; Alyssa Gillmore, Chatfield, Sr.; Emily Gosche, Denver East, Sr.; Ashley Hansley, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; Kristen Miller, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Katie Rushton, Highlands Ranch, Jr.; Steph Rowe, Chatfield, Sr.; Taylor Skogg, Grandview, Sr.; Annie Stuller, Fairview, Jr.; Kalie Vaughn, Rocky Mountain, Sr.; Shelby Williamson, Air Academy, Sr.; Kayla Yee, Heritage, Sr.
4A TOP 10
1. Niwot
2. Golden
3. Broomfield
4. Silver Creek
5. Wheat Ridge
6. Lewis-Palmer
7. Cheyenne Mountain
8. Fossil Ridge
9. Pueblo South
10. Valor Christian
4A PLAYERS TO WATCH
Melissa Ammaturo, Battle Mountain, Jr.; Jessica Battelli, D’Evelyn, Jr.; Danielle Birdsall, Broomfield, Sr.; Kaitlin Buck, Niwot, Sr.; Marissa Davis, Golden, Sr.; Nicholette DiGiacomo, Golden, Jr.; Abby Elliott, Valor Christian, Jr.; Natalie Foulk, Broomfield, Sr.; Amanda Garcia, Pueblo South, Jr.; Kirsten Lande, Greeley West, Sr.; Brittney Lordemann, Greeley West, Jr.; Shaye Marshall, Skyline, Sr.; Ali Morgan-Mauro, Fossil Ridge, Jr.; Jordan Olsen, Centaurus, Sr.; Nicole Pollack, Englewood, Sr.; Briannah Pugh, Valor Christian, So.; Lauren Shaner, Niwot, Sr.
3A TOP 10
1. Kent Denver
2. St. Mary’s
3. Faith Christian
4. Denver Christian
5. The Classical Academy
6. Fountain Valley
7. Holy Family
8. The Academy
9. C.S. Christian
10. Alexander Dawson
3A PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lindsey Anderson, Aspen, Sr.; Erin Aragon, The Academy, Jr.; Shelby Bartusek, Faith Christian, Sr.; Jamie Fox, The Classical Academy, Sr.; Shea Haycock, The Classical Academy, Jr.; Nicoll Hunt, Pagosa Springs, So.; Katie Loof, St. Mary’s, Jr.; Alexis Peterson, Denver Christian, Sr.; Wrendy Rayhill, Fountain Valley, Jr.; Lisa Singleton, Denver Christian, Jr.; Camille Solarte, Kent Denver, Jr.; Melissa Stewart, Basalt, Sr.; Reade Tillman, C.S. Christian, Jr.; Olivia Wagner, Alexander Dawson, Sr.; Christina Whitelaw, St. Mary’s, Jr.
