Denver East announced its return to field hockey’s top teams in a big way last season, reaching the semifinals.
What’s in store for an encore this season?
“Those seniors last year were game-changers for our program. We are really grateful to them,” said fourth-year Denver East coach Katie Morris. “But I don’t want to take away from our rising seniors this year. They are going to be able to pick up right where those kids last year left off.”
East graduated 10 seniors from its squad that went 12-2-3 in 2016, including Kate Burney (now playing at the University of Michigan). But the team returns eight new seniors this year, including first-team all-stater Eve Van Berkel, as well as captains Isobel Baker, Jaqueline McDonald and Shaina Neuwirth. And Morris is the reigning coach of the year.
Last season marked the first time since 2009 that Denver East reached double-digit wins. It was also the Angels’ furthest advancement into the postseason since that same season, when East finished runner up. (That remains the lone championship appearance for the program.)
“We lost quite a few starters,” Morris said. “It’s an opportunity for quite a few people to step up. But I think we set the standard for where we want to be and we’re hoping to just maintain and improve and get to that state championship game.”
Said McDonald: “Last year we saw such an amazing change in the way our program ran, and the way our team played together.”
Both McDonald and Morris pointed to an “amazing” team chemistry that helped spark the team to its success.
“For us as captains, we really just want to keep that team chemistry up,” McDonald said. “We had amazing chemistry last year. So at tryouts, we’re really looking to see that commitment and excitement for the team. These are people that are really just excited to play.
“We’re really excited for challenging opportunities this year, and to take them head-on.”
The expectations remain high. Denver East is ranked No. 4 in the preseason poll that was released on Monday.
“Obviously, it’s nerve-wracking,” McDonald said of the ranking, “but I also think it’s something that’s exciting for us, to have that high expectation because we do want to fulfill that expectation.”
East’s rise — the Angels averaged 6.6 wins from 2011-2015 — can be attributed in large part to the staggering numbers in its program. More than 70 players participate across the school’s four teams.
“We’ve been really lucky,” Morris said. “We’ve had some consistent C-team and JV coaches, so I think collectively, we know the values of our program and the core curriculum that we like to teach. It’s nice when I get the kids from JV or the freshman team and they already know a lot, because we all agree to teach the same techniques and curriculum.”
Added McDonald: “We’re really excited. It’s really great to see all the freshmen coming (to tryouts), because eventually, when we’re leaving, they’re going to be the ones carrying the program on.”
East will have plenty of competition in 2017.
Palmer Ridge, runner-up a season ago, opened the preseason poll at No. 1. The Bears graduated three first-team all-state selections, but senior Liz Phillips, a second-team pick last season, is back.
Emma Domich. (Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)
Kent Denver, the defending champion, opens at No. 2. The most successful program in state history with 10 of the 20 championships, the Sun Devils are expected to be led by Emma Domich (first-team all-state), Olivia Baglieri (second team), Cam Capoot, Madeleine Hunt (honorable mention) and Portia Tieze.
But it’s a field that’s expected to be largely equalized with many of the top programs graduating talent.
Other challengers include Colorado Academy (ranked third, and winner of four-straight championships from 2012-15), Regis Jesuit (ranked fifth), as well as Cherry Creek, Grandview, St. Mary’s Academy and Mountain Vista.
Field hockey preview
Important dates:
- Regular season begins: Aug. 24
- Playoffs begin: Oct. 20-21
- State championship: Oct. 26, All-City Stadium (Denver)
Defending champion:
- Palmer Ridge
- Kent Denver
- Colorado Academy
- Denver East
- Regis Jesuit
Returning all-state players:
- First team: Emma Domich, Kent Denver, Sr.; Eve Vanberkel, Denver East, Sr.
- Second team: Olivia Baglieri, Kent Denver, Sr.; Regan Cadieux, Regis Jesuit, Sr.; Emily Dawson, Gradview, Sr.; Liz Phillips, Palmer Ridge, Sr.; Reagan Rychecky, St. Mary’s Academy, Sr.