Colorado Academy enters 2014 riding a 24-game winning streak. (CHSAA file photo)
Colorado Academy heads into the approaching field hockey season with a past championship title only months behind, and hopeful of a repeat ahead.
"Our team has a huge connection on and off the field. It leads to our success. I absolutely think we can win state again this year," said returning all-stater and 2013 player of the year, Sterre Van Ede.
The Mustangs haven’t lost a game since their 2011 season, a span of 35 games (33-0-2). That includes a current 24-game winning streak which dates to the 2012 season and comprises the past two championships.
Last year, Colorado Academy finished 17-0-0, and beat Cherry Creek in the final.
Sterre Van Ede.
"Both Cherry Creek and Palmer (Ridge) have athletic girls who run very fast," Van Ede said. "And Kent (Denver) is always strong skillfully when we play them."
In fact, those three teams — along with Colorado Academy — comprise the top four teams in CHSAANow.com’s preseason ranking released Monday. The Mustangs are No. 1.
Daan Polders, the Netherlands native who coached the Mustangs to their past two championships, will not return for the 2014 season. Instead, Australian Veronica Scott will take over the squad.
Scott, who has played professional field hockey in Belgium for seven seasons and coached youth overseas, came to the United States two seasons ago and began coaching at Wake Forest. This will be her first season with a high school team.
"When I came here, I was impressed with the U.S. field hockey scene," Scott said, "but I realized that we needed good coaches at the high school level. Many athletes are arriving at college with a lack of fundamentals.
"I’m excited to see what potential there is on this team with Stere as a bonus, and everyone bringing something to the table."
Scott’s coaching style will be similar to Polders, as both bring international field hockey experience to Colorado Academy.
"I don’t think our team will go under a drastic change, though every coach is different," Van Ede said.
Field hockey preview
Defending champion: Colorado Academy
Runner-up: Cherry Creek
Returning All-State players: Akiko Mitchell, Sr, Mountain Vista (1st); Julia Murphy, Sr, Colorado Academy (1st); Claire Stemper, Jr, Regis Jesuit (1st); Fiona Sullivan, Sr, Denver East (1st); Sterre Van Ede, Sr, Colorado Academy (1st).
Regular season begins: August 21
Playoffs begin: October 20
Championship: October 25 at All-City Stadium (Denver)