Ralston Valley freshman Jessica Gibson, far right, puts a shot on Columbine junior goalie Julia Lisella, far left, during the first half Thursday at Trailblazer Stadium in Lakewood. Ralston Valley took a 14-6 victory against Columbine. (Dennis Pleuss)
LAKEWOOD — Ralston Valley sophomore Madison Winchester was all smiles when she headed to the sideline at Trailblazer Stadium in the final minutes Thursday night.
The Mustangs’ midfielder still had plenty of energy to celebrate Ralston Valley’s 14-6 victory over Columbine in girls’ lacrosse action despite playing all but the final minute and a half of the Jeffco League game. Winchester led Ralston Valley with four goals in the first ever win for the Mustangs against the Rebels.
Ralston Valley sophomore Marin Felsoci, middle, races down the field as Columbine’s Nicole Beaton (31), Lyndsie Pratt (82) and Kayla Donohoe, far right, give chase. Ralston Valley dominated the second half on the way to a 14-6 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)
“It’s huge. I’m so excited. I can’t believe this is happening,” Winchester said. “We are meshing so well as a team right now.”
The victory was the fifth straight for the Mustangs (6-2, 3-0 in Jeffco). Ralston Valley never trailed and received three first-half goals by Winchester to take a 5-3 lead at halftime.
“She (Winchester) is such a strong player. We can’t pull her off half the time because she contributes offense and defense,” Ralston Valley coach Katie Lohmiller said. “She is a leader by actions and words out on the field. The kids really respond to her.”
The Mustangs responded after halftime to dominate the second half. Ralston Valley outscored Columbine 9-3 in the second half to stay undefeated in conference play.
Junior Sydney Hauffman and sophomore Marin Felsoci each had three goals apiece for the Mustangs. Sophomore Olivia Sandoval added a pair of goals. Sophomore Alexa Hagestad and freshman Jessica Gibson both had a goal each for Ralston Valley.
“It’s huge. It shows the level of play the girls are bringing,” Lohmiller said of the first win over Columbine. “They are really clicking and making those connections. They are bringing those higher level skills to the field.”
Ralston Valley senior Moriah Kunau (15) forces Columbine junior Mackenzie Burns (16) to look to pass the ball in the Rebels’ offensive zone Thursday. Burns scored three goals in the Rebels’ 14-6 loss to the Mustangs. (Dennis Pleuss)
Lohmiller added that she felt the victory set the bar higher for her young squad moving forward into the season.
Senior Elizabeth Arellano contributed three assists while junior Brooke Farris and freshman Alexus Hopkins split the goaltending duties for Ralston Valley.
Junior Mackenzie Burns led Columbine with three goals. Senior attacker Savannah Mantele added two goals and senior Nicole Beaton scored once for the Rebels (3-6, 2-2).
Ralston Valley will face defending Jeffco champion and No. 3 ranked Chatfield (7-0, 2-0) next week. The Mustangs are scheduled to clash with the Chargers at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Trailblazer Stadium.
“I think the girls feel confident and we are just worried about playing our game,” Lohmiller said of facing the undefeated Chargers. “We just want to bring our best to the field against them (Chatfield). They are a great team.”
Chatfield took a 22-3 victory against Ralston Valley last season during league play.
“We have to come out as hard as we did against Columbine,” Winchester said. “We’ve got to do what we just did. I thought we did great tonight.”
The Rebels will be back to Trailblazer for an 11:30 a.m. game Saturday against defending state champion Cherry Creek.
Columbine senior Maggie Burns (7) gets some defensive pressure from Ralston Valley junior Samantha Snyder (14) during the Jeffco League game Thursday at Trailblazer Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss)