Late Season Rush Propels Girls into The Playoffs But Lack of Defense In First Round
by Keenan Moore
photo by Ryanne Mollo
The Lady Spartans had an eventful weekend playing three games and coming out with two wins, which propelled them into the playoffs, but their hopes were quickly dashed in a first-round loss to the Silver Creek Raptors to end their season.
Their weekend started with the Spartans taking on the Lincoln Lancers. This was one of the last league matches that the squad, had and it was critical that they win if they wanted to have any chance to make it into the playoffs. The Spartans seemed to sense the urgency of he situation and they came out firing. The ladies were able to get three goals in the first twenty minutes of the game. This was followed up by a goal late in the first half, and at the halfway mark the Spartans were up with a 4-0 lead. The second half started out just like the first half and the Spartans were able to put up two more goals in quick succession. The defense was solid and the team was able to control the ball in the Lancer territory for the majority of the game. Close to the end of the game the Spartans put up one more goal just to insure their lead. With one win under their belt, the Spartans were one step closer to getting into the playoffs.
The girls had yet another game against Montbello on Friday and they were able to post up another win, at 5-0. This game was all that the Spartans needed to make it into the playoffs. The Spartans seemed to show how critical this game was in their overall performance. The offense was strong from the start and even though they only got one goal in the first half, they controlled the ball deep inside the Warrior zone and got off many quality shots. The defense was also strong throughout the entire first half and they were able to pass the ball up to the productive offense. The second half showed how strongly the Spartans wanted to make it to the playoffs, as they put up four goals to back up their first initial goal. The defense continued to be just as aggressive and did not allow any major scoring opportunities. This win was the second that the Spartans had gotten over their weekend and it was just what they needed to get into the playoffs. The only game that they had left was against Steamboat Springs. “The girls did exactly what they were supposed to do and it worked. We have started to work together as a team and it has shown in our overall performance,” stated Varsity Assistant Head Coach John Poole.
The Spartans had to take on the powerful team from Steamboat Springs and they weren’t able to pull out a win as they lost 3-0. This match had been highly anticipated as the Sailors had just pulled out a win the last time these two teams had met. The team seemed like they had lost the intensity that they had showed in their first match. Playing the second game, the Spartans spent the majority of the game playing defense and trying to get the long ball to work. However, the wind played a major role and knocked down all of the balls that the Spartans tried to pass up the field. All turned out well though on this eventful weekend as the Spartans had achieved what they had wanted; they had made it into the playoffs.
The Spartans just barely made it into the playoffs, getting the 32nd spot. They had a large mountain to climb, as they had to face the number-one ranked team in the Silver Creek Raptors. This match would prove to be a dramatic one for the Spartans to go deeper into the playoffs. The bell was about to toll for this season as the Spartans entered Longmont. Right from the get go it was obvious that this was going to be a defensive battle for the Spartans, as the Raptors quickly went on the attack. Within the first few minutes of the game, the Raptors succeeded in getting a goal past the Spartans. The Spartans could not seem to stop the offensive power that the Raptors brought to the field as they let two more goals get past them. The girls ended the first half with a 3-0 deficit and they would need to step up the intensity if they wanted to make a game out of the second half. The Spartans gave up one goal after another and eventually suffered the mercy rule losing 10-0. The magical ride that the Spartans had been on had finally come to an end.
This was, for all intents and purposes, a reconstruction year for the Spartans. The team had a lot of underclassmen who showed their coach that even though they were young, they had the potential to keep up with some of the competitive teams. Next year the Spartans will lose three seniors and will have some younger players who will fill the gaps. “We look forward to all the potential that we will have next year. We hope that we will go further into the playoffs than we have the past couple of years,” states the optimistic Head Coach, James Nixon. The girls will also try to improve their standing in the Denver Prep League, as well.
