More photos. (Jeff Tucker/jefferywtucker.zenfolio.com)
HIGHLANDS RANCH — Colorado Academy lived up to its team mascot without question Friday, as the team ran wild and free in true Mustang fashion.
The defending Class 3A state champion and current No. 1-ranked team in the CHSAANow.com 3A girls soccer rankings earned a 5-0 road victory over No. 8 SkyView Academy (2-2) that was seemingly effortless.
“We definitely wanted to play our style of game, which is a solid possession style and just come out and have fun, playing the game we like to play,” junior captain Sarah Masinter said. “It really is a team effort, obviously the goals I scored were off of really great passes back into the middle, so how we play possession really leads to the goals.”
Masinter was essential to the Colorado Academy offense as she netted two goals in the contest. But she wasn’t the only one as sophomore Anna Ponzio was able to put away two herself, one off of a pass from Masinter.
Sophomore Maddie Bauer was the first to get on board for the Mustangs before the floodgates ultimately opened, as that was another goal that was setup and assisted by Masinter.
Coming out of halftime down 4-0, the tension and uneasiness being exuded by the contingent of SkyView parents and fans was noticeable, as curiosity concerning how their squad would respond in the second half was overwhelming.
More photos. (Jeff Tucker/jefferywtucker.zenfolio.com)
The Hawks erased all doubt, coming out with a renewed aggression to try and change the tide of the match.
Although they couldn’t produce goals to match the explosive offensive output of Colorado Academy, they had a few strong possessions that led to promising opportunities on goal.
One of those chances came on a free kick about 20 yards outside of the box on the east end of the pitch, as freshman Hannah Dempsey put in a great ball over two defenders that required a diving save to prevent a point.
Midway through the second half, the Hawks had a couple more opportunities to try and get on the board to avoid the shutout.
Included: a loose ball scrum in the box in the face of the Mustang goalkeeper, and another off of an admirable individual effort from sophomore Jena Steller in which she was able to elude two defenders on a 30-yard scamper that saw her shot go just right of the goal.
Maintained possession was also key in the Hawks’ effort to get back into the game, but then again the discipline and patience of the Mustangs in the end just proved to be too much for the Hawks to handle. SkyView Academy is winless in two games at home on the season.
“We just wanted to do what we continue to do well, which is support each other on the field with movement off the ball and quick speed of play,” coach Sean Stedeford said. “We were able to use the space very effectively and able to find players that were open instead of forcing the ball to our top players.”
Up next for Colorado Academy, they pay a visit to No. 2-ranked Kent Denver next Tuesday, while SkyView will host Cornerstone Christian Academy on Saturday.