A little continuity in the spring sports season is something for which every coach yearns.
Between injuries, college visits and spring-break vacations, a coach is lucky to have the whole team together for a game, let alone a practice.
On Thursday, Denver East coach Beth Hinz finally had her full assortment of players for the Denver Prep League finale/championship match against George Washington. While the cleanliness wasn’t there, the result was as the Angels won 1-0.
“I think all season we’ve been frustrated as far as finding that last connecting pass,” said Hinz, whose team finished the regular season 10-5, 8-0 in the DPL. “We’re just trying to figure out who’s going to finish the game for us.”
After a frustrating 0-0 first-half result, the Angels, who clearly had the run of play, finally found a way to get one past Patriots keeper Lauren McGovern.
Freshman Zibby Smith settled a rebound that McGovern couldn’t control and fired home into the open net.
“Very frustrating,” Hinz said of her team’s first-half performance.
A still very youthful George Washington (6-7-2, 6-1-1), which qualified 32nd in the 32-team field a season ago, struggled to get any sort of offensive push against the bigger and quicker Angels midfielders and defenders.
The Patriots managed just one shot on goal with just 1:50 to play, but the result is something that coach Narissa Stahl will gladly take.
“I am very happy with a 1-0 loss against East,” said Stahl, who is in her eighth year with the Patriots’ program. “We’ve never done that well against them. That’s a huge statement, because there wasn’t one DPS school that held them to 1-0.”
Winning city titles has become old hat for the Angels and Hinz, who also coaches the boys program.
“And you know what?” she said. “We never take it for granted.”
Both teams will find out their playoff fate Sunday, when the state pairings are released by the Colorado High School Activities Association.
George Washington: 0 0 — 0
Denver East: 0 1 — 1
Goal: Smith (unassisted), 42nd minute.
Shots on goal: George Washington 0-1 — 1; Denver East 5-9 — 14. Saves: George Washington (McGovern) 5-8 — 13; Denver East (Sally) 0-1 — 1. Offside: George Washington 0-1 — 1; Denver East 3-3 — 6. Corner kicks: George Washington 0-0 — 0; Denver East 1-1 — 2. Fouls: George Washington 3-0 — 3; Denver East 3-2 — 5. Yellow card: LaPorta, DE, 76th.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354, junt@denverpost.com or
