The St. Mary’s and Air Academy girls’ soccer teams are at opposite ends of the spectrum entering this week’s state championship games. One is the favorite, the other a 5A underdog. One is expecting to win the 3A title, the other isn’t supposed to be there.

“We’ve reminded three higher seeds of that,” said coach Nancy Sibley, whose No. 10 Kadets face No. 1 Chatfield at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City for the Class 5A championship.

In 3A tonight, St. Mary’s and Alexander Dawson square off at 7 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

In 5A, Air Academy (16-3) has beaten No. 7 Grandview, No. 2 Cherry Creek and No. 3 Arapahoe. Taking down the Chargers will take the same organization, discipline and composure, Sibley said.

“We need to keep that composure,” Sibley said. “We just need to know where we are on the field. We are just going to keep on doing what we’ve been doing.”

The Kadets look to freshman forward Sarah Schweiss (four playoff goals) and junior goalie Sarah Tanous (one goal allowed in playoffs) to lead the charge.

Goalie Alyssa Gillmore has 59 saves for Chatfield (18-0-1). Offensively, Stephanie Rowe, Callie Hancock, Sarah Schmeda and Kaitlyn Bassett have combined to score 39 of the team’s 56 goals.

In 3A, top-seeded St. Mary’s (16-1) was the state runner-up in 2007 and 2008. Anything short of a state title will not suffice. The team comes in with an “incredibly positive” attitude and has “high expectations,” coach Gregg Braha said.

St. Mary’s has scored 104 goals with junior Christina Whitelaw (37 goals, 24 assists) leading the way.

“We really put a lot on her shoulders as an attacking midfielder,” Braha said, “and (senior) Lauren Kuklenski (12 goals, 16 assists) as a center midfielder.”

Senior Becca Morales (25 goals, 11 assists) and junior Jenny Nagl (15 goals, 10 assists) add scoring balance.

Junior goalie Katie Loof (90 saves) leads the defense. The Pirates’ only loss is to Air Academy.

Alexander Dawson (18-1) has only lost to unbeaten 4A finalist Valor Christian. The No. 2 Mustangs have scored 91 goals led by Maryland signee Olivia Wagner’s 30.

“They have a lot of speed, especially on the right side,” Braha said. “We need to keep it off the feet of those really dangerous players.”

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