Columbine was all smiles as it walked off the field at Englewood High School on Saturday after taking a 2-0 victory over Mountain Vista in the Class 5A girls soccer state semifinal. (Dennis Pleuss)
ENGLEWOOD — Columbine didn’t waste time in scoring first Saturday at Englewood High School in the Class 5A girls soccer state semifinal.
Rebels’ leading goal scorer Tatum Barton drew a foul outside Mountain Vista’s goalie box a minute into the first half. Sophomore Kelcey Cavarra wrapped the direct free kick around the Golden Eagles’ wall and into the far corner of the net for an early 1-0 lead.
“It was prefect opportunity. I thought it was five minutes into the game, but it was only a minute in,” Cavarra said. “It gave us great intensity and the lead.”
No. 8-seeded Columbine (16-3) never gave up its early lead. The Rebels went on to a 2-0 victory, earning their seventh trip to a girls’ soccer championship game, and first since 1999.
Columbine sophomore Kelcey Cavarra, left, attempt to block a kick from Mountain Vista sophomore Peyton Joseph on Saturday. The Rebels won 2-0 to advance to the Class 5A girls soccer championship game Wednesday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. (Dennis Pleuss)
“You always want to come in and set the tone, especially against the defending state champions (Mountain Vista),” Columbine coach Brian Todd said. “They have a ton of confidence and they’ve earned it. We talked about coming out fast, energetic and organized. We did all of that.”
No. 4-seeded Mountain Vista (15-2-2) had outscored its opponents 14-0 in three postseason games, but couldn’t get one past Columbine junior goalie Sarah Luebking.
“We were a little flat in the first half,” said Mountain Vista coach Theresa Echtermeyer, who guided the Golden Eagles to state titles in 2013, 2011 and 2005. “They (Columbine) had a couple good opportunities, one with that free kick right at the beginning. We got maybe a little bit flustered.”
The Rebels added a second goal against the 5A defending state champions midway through the first half. Freshman Amanda Porter was able to settle a bouncing ball in front of Mountain Vista goalie Christine Ottinger and kicked a one-timer into the back of the net.
“It’s great knowing we could score two goals against Mountain Vista who hasn’t given up a goal all tournament,” said Cavarra who added she believed the 5A Jeffco League champions have been underestimated. “We worked our butts off for this.”
Columbine and Mountain Vista each had just a few scoring opportunities each in the scoreless second half.
Columbine sophomore Breckyn Schmitz (2) and Mountain Vista junior Megan Massey (10) battle for the ball during the second half Saturday at Englewood High School. (Dennis Pleuss)
“Columbine had a better day than we did,” Echtermeyer said. “That’s soccer. It happens.”
The Golden Eagles were without one of the top players in the state for the semifinal. Sophomore Mallory Pugh was with the U.S. U-20 women’s national team. Echtermeyer said Pugh gets back into town tomorrow (Sunday).
Echtermeyer coached Green Mountain two a pair of 5A state titles in 1999 and 1997 before starting the program at Mountain Vista, where she also coaches the boys program.
Columbine will attempt to make school history when it plays for the 5A championship game May 21 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The Rebels have never won a girls team title in school history.
The Rebels are loaded with underclassmen, but they are only one win away from that elusive state title.
“We were hoping,” Porter said of making the state title game this year. “With hard work we’ve got here.”
Columbine senior Madison Chapman (9) heads the ball in front of Mountain Vista junior Morgan McDougal (17) and Columbine sophomore Kelcey Cavarra during the second half Saturday at Englewood High School. Cavarra scored on a direct free kick in the opening minute on the way to a 2-0 victory for the Rebels. (Dennis Pleuss)