Standley Lake’s Andra Thaden (16), Emily Ashmore (2) and Meghan DeHerrera (3) celebrate Ashmore’s goal in the 4th minute Tuesday against Douglas County. (Dennis Pleuss)
ARVADA — Standley Lake girls soccer coach Jeff Vigil couldn’t have scripted the opening minute in the Gators’ playoff opener Tuesday night any better.
Standley Lake junior Meghan DeHerrera lofted a high shot to the far post on the Gators’ first offensive attack. Douglas County senior goalie Seanna Parker wasn’t able to get a hand on the shot that sailed into the back of the net 20 seconds into the Class 5A postseason first-round game.
“I was surprised I got that wide open of a shot that early in the game,” said DeHerrera of the quickest goal she has ever scored during her soccer career. “I got a great ball from Sophia Brown and I just placed it. I was lucky it went in.”
Douglas County sophomore Alexa Leohner (10) gets off a kick as her teammate Lindsey Rost (20) and Standley Lake junior Meghan DeHerrera attempts to get out of the way Tuesday night. (Dennis Pleuss)
The No. 13-seeded Gators were lucky and good in advancing into the second round of the state tournament with an eventual 6-0 victory over the No. 20-seeded Huskies (9-6-1).
“Everybody was contributing. I felt like everyone on the roster contributed and had fun,” Vigil said. “It was a true team victory.”
The Gators (13-3) grabbed their second goal in the 4th minute with a hard shot from senior Emily Ashmore that ripped into the back of the net. Standley Lake dominated the first half outshooting Douglas County 9-1 while leading 2-0 after 40 minutes.
“We just knew we had to come out hard and press high. Get all over them from the very the beginning,” DeHerrera said. “We got those two goals early.”
Junior Taylor McRae put in Standley Lake’s third goal off an assist from Ashmore in the 42nd minute. The Gators struck again in the 44th minute when DeHerrera put in her second goal on a penalty kick that was awarded after McRae was fouled inside the Huskies’ goal box.
Freshman Camille Garcia and junior Ariana Clouse both found the back of the net for the Gators in the final 14 minutes to make the final score 6-0.
“This is the first time that I’ve felt like we’ve had something special. We aren’t just here (state tournament) to compete,” Vigil said. “We can really truly do something. If we play like that, sky’s the limit.”
Standley Lake freshman Sophia Brown (13) battles with Douglas County sophomore Hannah Smith for possession of the ball Tuesday night at the North Area Athletic Complex. (Dennis Pleuss)
Standley Lake gets the defending 5A state champion Mountain Vista Golden Eagles in the second round on Friday. The game will be played at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch.
No. 4-seeded Mountain Vista dominated Denver East for a 7-0 victory Tuesday night to advance to the round of 16.
The Gators do have some playoff history against the Golden Eagles. Mountain Vista defeated Standley Lake 4-1 in the second round of the 2012 tournament.
“I really feel that if we show up and play we could win,” Vigil said of facing the defending state champs. “It’s not going to be a fluke if we win. We are here to try to win a state championship.”
It was a good night for the four 5A Jeffco teams (Columbine, Ralston Valley, Standley Lake and Dakota Ridge) that made the 32-team state tournament. All four scored shutout victories to advance to the second round.
“Getting Jeffco some respect is important,” Vigil said of 5A Jeffco going 4-0 in first-round games.
tandley Lake junior Meghan DeHerrera (far left) head the ball past Douglas County midfielders Lindsey Rost (20) and Kali Dodd (21) during the first half Tuesday night at the North Area Athletic Complex. DeHerrera scored a pair of goals in the Gators’ 6-0 victory in the first round of the Class 5A state tournament (Dennis Pleuss)