BROOMFIELD — Teams that compete out of Region 6 in Class 3A, essentially the 3A Metro League, are constantly teetering on the brink.
Although the toughest league in the classification provides a uniquely competitive environment, there are only so many playoff berths available. Once the dust settles from the rough-and-tumble league, five teams will be in the state tournament, and one top 10-caliber squad will be left on the sideline.
Thanks to a furious first-half offensive onslaught, Holy Family made Kent Denver’s perch on the playoff bubble quite precarious. The Tigers scored four first-half goals, including consecutive strikes from Meghan Jonikas that broke a tie, to record a 5-2 victory Saturday at the Broomfield Commons.
For No. 3-ranked Holy Family, the victory re-established momentum after the Tigers (10-2, 7-1) had their seven- game winning streak snapped Thursday by No. 8 Faith Christian. Despite its No. 2 ranking, Kent Denver (7-5-1, 3-3) needs a win Tuesday against No. 9 Colorado Academy to keep its postseason hopes alive after losing three of its past four games.
“This was a sweet bounce-back,” Holy Family coach George Connolly said. “Kent’s a little beat-up right now, but that’s part of the Metro League — you have to be strong throughout the whole season. The Metro League, we need a sixth playoff spot. We have six in the top 10, and most of the games are decided by one point. This was more of an aberration.”
Jonikas’ two goals staked the Tigers to a 3-1 lead, and a goal by Heidi Hanson gave Holy Family a three-goal edge at halftime. Hanson and sophomore Maddie Kuzik recorded one goal and one assist apiece for Holy Family.
“We really came out hard, because we didn’t come out hard (against Faith),” Jonikas said. “Our problem is that we aren’t marking up very well. . . . So in practice we really focused on marking up and staying with our man and making smarter defensive decisions. I think that showed.”
Kent Denver 1 1 — 2
Holy Family 4 1 — 5
Goals — HF: Kuzik (unassisted), 14th minute; KD: Toll (Pike), 24th; HF: Jonikas (Hanson), 30th; Jonikas (unassisted), 35th; Hanson (Kuzik), 38th; Russell (unassisted), 62nd; KD: McElvaine (unassisted), 75th.
Shots on goal — Kent Denver 3-2 — 5; Holy Family 8-3 — 11. Saves — Kent Denver (Kraus 6); Holy Family (Quinn 3). Corner kicks — Kent Denver 2-1 — 3; Holy Family 1-1 — 2. Fouls — Kent Denver 7-3 — 10; Holy Family 5-8 — 13. Yellow cards — KD: Gonzalez.
