(Jack Carlough)
COLORADO SPRINGS – Kent Denver goalkeeper Claire Welch didn’t let the bright lights of Weidner Field faze her during Saturday’s Class 3A state championship match.
The Sun Devils junior stopped every Colorado Academy shot attempt en route to a 1-0 decision and Season D state championship for her team.
“She’s a new starter this year and seemed to get big when she needed to be big,” Kent Denver coach Lucas Richardson said. “She’s been great all season and she’s just got a wonderfully positive attitude.”
The victory marked Kent Denver’s sixth state title for an increasingly accomplished program. It was Kent Denver’s first since beating Colorado Academy, 3-1, in the 2016 edition.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Sun Devils’ score came on a corner kick with 24 minutes remaining in the second half. Junior Izzy Newton delivered the kick which banana-curled into the back left corner of the net. Richardson said it was the second time this season that Newton utilized her accurate right leg for a corner kick goal.
“We wanted to put the ball close to their goal to see what would happen and Izzy hits a great ball,” Richardson said. “She scores a lot of goals in big games.”
For the Sun Devils, Richardson believed it was their ability to compete in close games that won them the title. The 1-0 final was Kent Denver’s fifth victory decided by two goals or less to cap off a 12-0-2 campaign.
“They know how to win close games,” Richardson said “All season we’ve been really good in tight games, and they did it again today. I think it’s a testament to their character. They’re a tough bunch.”
The Sun Devils’ defense may have epitomized their grind-it-out attitude. Colorado Academy, which finished the season 10-3-2, had limited offensive attempts and couldn’t take advantage of a corner kick at the 70-minute mark.
“Defense is everything,” Welch said. “I give a lot of (the credit for) all my shutouts to them.”
As the temperature dropped on a rainy Weidner Field, Welch said she wasn’t exactly warm but maintained a positive attitude. She was rewarded.
“It’s such a great feeling,” Welch said. “I’m a junior, so (it’s my) third year on the team and it just feels great to finally win the chip.”