Columbine’s Tatum Barton (6) is the reigning player of the year in 5A girls soccer. (Dennis Pleuss)
The Rebels of Columbine reached a milestone at the end of last season, claiming the Class 5A girls soccer championship and marking the first girls title in any sport for the Jefferson County school.
The drought-ending squad was led by CHSAANow.com’s coach of the year, Brian Todd, and player of the year, Tatum Barton.
Columbine returns all four first- and second-team all-state players, including Barton, now a junior forward. But, the squad did graduate six seniors, which means a very different team heads into the 2015 season.
“We lost six pieces that contributed to that championship team in their own way,” Todd said. “Our returning and new pieces will give us a nice makeup, but we are in no way, at this point, a championship-caliber team.”
The school, which instituted female athletics in 1973, spent over 40 years on various fields and courts until finally getting over the hump last season.
“This was a huge emotional breakthrough for the school,” Todd said. “It relieved pressure on the girls, and more importantly, inspired the other programs. There is a sense of energy and confidence in all the girls’ teams.”
Columbine girls soccer had seen five appearances in the state championship, but had walked away as runner-up at each one. Todd, who broke the hex and changed morale, knows it will be hard to repeat but is hopeful.
“We have a lot of work to get done, but we are capable of being a dangerous team,” said the eighth-year leader.
Columbine heads into the season opener on Saturday with the No. 1 spot in 5A’s preseason poll. The Rebels will take on Fruita Monument.
“We have a fun schedule this year. My girls acknowledge what eyes they have on them after last season’s victory, but know what they can do, too,” Todd said. “I think, though we have lost key elements, we have carried the mentality over from the big win.”
Cheyenne Mountain (4A), and Colorado Academy (3A) enter their seasons in the same position as the Rebels: A trophy in their pocket, a target on their back, and the hunt for a repeat.
The only classification that doesn’t have a team in a similiar position is 2A, which begins play for the first time this season with 23 teams. Twelve of those will make 2A’s postseason field with the top four seeds getting first-round byes.
Girls soccer preview
5A
- Season start date: March 5
- Postseason start date: May 5
- Championship: May 20, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
- Returning all-state players: Tatum Barton, Columbine, forward, junior (first team); Kelcey Cavarra, Columbine, midfielder, junior (first team); Alyssa Kaiser, Ralston Valley, midfielder, junior (first team); Sarah Luebking, Columbine, goalkeeper, senior (first team); Emma Musson, Ralston Valley, forward, junior (first team); Mallory Pugh, Mountain Vista, midfielder/forward, junior (first team); Kayla Hill, ThunderRidge, midfielder, senior (second team); Julie Mackin, Castle View, forward, junior (second team); Morgan McDougal, Mountain Vista, midfielder, senior (second team); Amanda Porter, Columbine, midfielder, sophomore (second team); Renee Roemer, Ralston Valley, goalkeeper, senior (second team); Reci Smith, Fairview, forward/midfielder, senior (second team).
4A
- Season start date: March 5
- Postseason start date: May 6
- Championship: May 20, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
- Returning all-state players: Bri Alger, Lewis-Palmer, forward, sophomore (first team); Emily Cope, Battle Mountain, midfielder, junior (first team); Carlee Flanagan, Wheat Ridge, midfielder, senior (first team); Hannah Gerdin, Cheyenne Mountain, forward, senior (first team); Aleesa Muir, The Classical Academy, defender, junior (first team, 3A); Mariel Gutierrez, Eagle Valley, forward/midfielder, senior (second team); Sarah Lyons, Lewis-Palmer, midfielder, junior (second team); Ashley Martin, Silver Creek, midfielder, senior (second team); Logan Nash, Battle Mountain, goalkeeper, senior (second team); Hunter Peifer, Cheyenne Mountain, goalkeeper, senior (second team); Haley Peterman, Air Academy, midfielder, senior (second team); Brier YoungFleish, Palisade, midfielder, junior (second team).
3A
- Season start date: March 5
- Postseason start date: May 8
- Championship: May 19, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
- Returning all-state players: Kenya Alvarez, Jefferson, midfielder, junior (first team); Anya Bourlakov, Denver Science & Tech, goalkeeper, senior (first team); Alexis Loera, The Academy, midfielder, sophomore (first team); Marin McCoy, Colorado Academy, midfielder, senior (first team); Lydia Anderson, Middle Park, midfielder, senior (second team); Kylie Cleary, St. Mary’s, forward, senior (second team); Allie Falagrady, The Academy, forward, senior (second team); Jade Gallegos, The Pinnacle, forward, senior (second team); McKenna Monk, Fountain Valley, midfielder, sophomore (second team); Shelby Schumacher, Kent Denver, midfielder, sophomore (second team); Alycia Wright, Jefferson Academy, forward/midfielder, senior (second team).
2A
- Season start date: March 5
- Postseason start date: May 5
- Championship: May 19, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
- Returning all-state players: None.