Perhaps this will be the year the girls soccer program at Widefield breaks through its long playoff drought. And perhaps not.
Too soon to decide — maybe — but the Gladiators’ six straight wins to open the spring season is certainly something of note as they aim for their first postseason berth since before 2012, the latest their completed record goes back on MaxPreps.
On Thursday, the four-win team from 2023 tallied their fifth shutout of 2024, beating Ellicott 6-0.
Sophomore Lizzy Brown helped lead the way, pushing her season points count to a team-high 33 — already more than she had as a freshman, when she finished with 28. Juniors Autumn Ibarra added a hat trick and Dasia Rojas scored twice.
In this week’s look-in on girls’ soccer, we dive into hot starts from a couple unexpected teams — like Widefield — in each classification.
Eaglecrest Raptors (6-1 in 2024; missed the postseason after going 7-6-1): The Raptors are hoping this start isn’t like the mirage that was their 2023 opening.
Last year, they were 6-0-1 before finishing 1-6 down the stretch, missing the playoffs.
But there’s plenty about the 2024 start that says things could finish better for them —even with play in the highly-competitive Centennial League ahead — including outscoring their last four opponents a combined 23-3.
Junior Annika Boex, who had 16 points (four goals, eight assists) through the first five games with stats available, has helped lead the way.
They host Overland Friday.
Chaparral Wolverines (5-1 in 2024; 7-8-1 and lost in the 5A first round as the 28 seed in 2023): The Wolverines, who were 2-3-1 through six games last year, have gotten a strong start from their freshman netminder, Sydney Matthews, who has stopped 40 of the 43 shots she’s faced.
Sophomore Isabelle Schroder has five of her team’s 20 goals, and was one of five players to score in their 5-0 win over Douglas County on Thursday.
They are home against Legend on Monday.
Widefield Gladiators (6-0 in 2024; 4-10-1 and missed the playoffs in 2023): Brown and Rojas are already outperforming their 2023 seasons — with Brown’s 33 points bettering her 28 in 2023, and Rojas’ 10 goals trumping her single score.
Meanwhile, Ibarra has continued to produce in her third varsity season with 10 goals and nine assists on the year. She has 40 goals and 21 helpers in her career.
The Gladiators are at Pueblo Central Saturday.
Gateway Olympians (5-0-1 in 2024; 6-6-3 and missed playoffs in 2023): The Olympians are another team who haven’t reached the postseason in recent history.
A long way to go to fix that, but the start is promising.
Sophomore Maria Herrera had six goals during their five-game winning streak, which ended in a scoreless draw to Aurora Central Thursday.
They’re at Thornton Tuesday.
DSST: College View Wolves (4-1 in 2024; 7-8 and missed postseason in 2023): The Wolves are looking to get back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
After dropping their opening to Addenbrooke Classical Academy early last month, they’ve won their last four behind six goals from senior Jimena Bautista.
A year ago, they started 1-4.
On Friday, they host Kipp Denver Collegiate.
James Irwin Jaguars (3-0-2 in 2024; 5-10 and missed the playoffs in 2023): Another team without a postseason berth in more than a decade, the Jags have made progress in changing that early in 2024.
Among good signs, they beat Sand Creek after losing to the Scorpions last year. They tied St. Mary’s, halting a 13-game losing streak to the Pirates dating back to 2009.
They’re home against Vanguard Saturday.
Lamar Thunder (3-0 in 2024; 8-6-1 and missed the postseason in 2023): The Thunder have outscored their first three opponents 16-2.
Josylynn Rodriguez opened the season with five goals in a 10-0 win over Banning Lewis Academy and is up to 11 on the year.
They’re home against Rye on Friday.
Gilpin County Eagles (3-0-1 in 2024; 4-9 and missed the playoffs in 2023): The Eagles opened the season with a 1-1 draw against Rocky Mountain Lutheran, then won their next three games by a combined 12-0 margin.
Junior Jiselle Osteboe has led the way with six goals and four assists. She scored twice in their latest win on Wednesday, beating Nederland 3-0.
They’re at Windsor Charter Academy on Friday.
Brent W. New is an award-winning journalist who writes for the Daily Camera, Times-Call and Broomfield Enterprise. In the past he’s written for publications such as ESPN, the Associated Press and the Colorado Springs Gazette.
Brent W. New is an award-winning journalist who writes for the Daily Camera, Times-Call and Broomfield Enterprise. In the past he’s written for publications such as ESPN, the Associated Press and the Colorado Springs Gazette.
