Class 5A

Colorado Springs Metro

Coronado

Coach: Matt Brickell, second season

Key players: Lindsey Berger, Sr. forward/midfielder; Lauren Reynolds, Sr., midfield/defender; Juliana Geronazzo, Soph., defender; Sara Ford,  Soph., midfielder; Amelia Herman, Soph., forward; Lauren Strizich, Soph., defender; Leah Brickell, Jr., defender; Hannah Burgess, Jr., defender/midfielder; Isabella Janney, Jr., midfielder; Brooke Williams, Jr., midfielder/forward; Julie Callan, Jr., goalkeeper.

What to know: Coach Matt Brickell hopes some young players grew throughout last year’s 4-11 campaign. Amelia Herman is back after leading the team with eight goals as a freshman, while Isabella Janney added seven as a sophomore. Coronado also returns its primary keeper in Julie Callan. The coach added that a couple of injuries will limit the Cougars to start the season.

Doherty

Coach: Craig Decker, fourth season

Key players: Lindsey Thornock, Sr., midfielder; Hailey Kwiatkowski, Jr., defender; Taylor Cosgrove, Soph., forward; Madi Johnston, Soph., midfielder; Chaylaa Minniss, Soph., forward.

What to know: Decker said the Spartans will rely on underclassmen this spring with just one senior and two junior starters returning. Luckily for the Spartans, one of those underclassmen is Chaylaa Minniss, who scored eight goals and added 11 assists as a freshman for the 8-7 Spartans. Last year’s leading scorer, Mykiaa Minniss, is not expected to play her senior season due to club obligations.

Liberty

Coach: Gary Douglas, first season

Key players: Morgan Sibley, Sr., defender; Alexis Harris, Sr., defender; Sadie Voshman, Sr., forward; Courtney Cowles, Soph., TBD; Afton Schraml, Jr., goalkeeper; Kimberly McKinney, Soph., defender; Amber Boains, Soph., forward; Carolyn Naftanel, Soph., defender.

What to know: With what first-year coach Gary Douglas described as an “outstanding core of returning players” and a “strong freshman class” the Lancers have set their sights on the postseason after coming up short in a 6-9 season in 2017. While Liberty’s top scorer graduated, Douglas inherits Courtney Cowles, who scored nine goals and added six assists as a freshman, and Amber Boains, another freshman, who scored six times. Afton Schrami returns in goal after earning a majority of the minutes as a sophomore.

Palmer

Coach: Bri Favatella, second season

Key players: Emma Seiman, Sr., defender; Callie Matteson, Sr., goalkeeper; Cora Bayless, Sr., midfielder.

What to know: The Terrors expect to get a lot of younger players quality experience around a trio of key seniors in Favatella’s second season. Palmer will look to build off a 2-12-1 campaign a year ago. Callie Matteson is back after making 13.6 saves per game as a junior.

Pine Creek

Coach: John Frederick, 20th season

Key players: Kelsie Knoerzer, Sr., defender; Rachel Duggan, Sr., midfielder; Payton Smelker, Sr., defender; Torrie Brodish, Jr., midfielder; Myah Isaias, Jr., midfielder; Haley Murdock, Soph., defender; Bri Ellsworth, Jr., midfielder; Lauren Bogue, Jr., midfielder; Caroline Mondberg, Soph., forward; Greer Garcher, Soph., midfielder; Paige Thompson, Jr., defender/forward.

What to know: The Eagles are looking to return to their perch atop the league after going 5-1 last year alongside Doherty and Rampart. Pine Creek lost its top three scorers and top two goalkeepers from last year’s team that reached the second round of the playoffs. Myah Isaias and Torrie Brodish scored six goals apiece last year as sophomores.

Rampart

Coach: Carisa Whitson, seventh season

Key players: Samantha Sallie, Sr., goalkeeper; Katie Wilcox, Jr., forward; Haley Creapo, Jr., midfielder; Grace McReynolds, So., midfielder; Jade Kinsey, Jr., defender; Arianna Colella, Jr., defender; Harmony Mier, So., midfielder; Beacon Mier, So., forward; Jordan Garrett, So., midfielder.

What to know: The Rams will have just one senior on the roster – goalkeeper Samantha Sallie – but coach Carisa Whitson says her young group has bought into playing for one another. Rampart returns its top three scorers from last year’s 11-5 squad that made the state playoffs in Harmony Meier (10), Kaitlyn Wilcox (8) and Beacon Meier (6).

Not reporting: Fountain-Fort Carson.

Class 4A

Colorado Springs Metro

Harrison

Coach: Sasha Rauch-Kelly, sixth season

Key players: Jackie Contreras, Sr., goalkeeper; Laura Beltran, Sr., defender; April Orozco, Sr., midfielder; Kimberlyn Villalobos, Jr., midfielder; Ariana Chavira, Soph., midfielder; Tacarra Ingram, Sr., midfielder; Maria Moscosa, Soph., defender; Neida Torres, Soph., defender; Mayra Guzman, Jr., defender.

What to know: The Panthers are hoping to take another step forward after posting five wins a season ago, their most in a season since at least 2009. Harrison won once in 2016.

Mitchell

Coach: Brett Humphrey, second season

Key players: Saira Ramos, Sr., forward; Pamela Flores, Jr., midfielder; Jocelyn Rangel, Sr., midfielder; Teriah Adames, Soph., defender; Olga Gaytan, Jr., defender; Nev Estrada, Soph., goalkeeper.

What to know: The Marauders return an experienced core, but will be “very young” according to Humphrey. Mitchell struggled to just a pair of wins last season, but Saira Ramos returns after scoring 11 of the team’s 18 goals, while Nev Estrada figures to be the primary keeper after splitting time with a group of seniors last season.

Sierra

Coach: Victoria Miller, third season

Key players: D’Nae Wilson, Soph., midfielder; Judith Hernandez, Sr., defender; Irma Gonzalez, Sr., defender; Vanesa Ramirez, Sr., defender; Mayra Gorostieta, Sr., defender.

What to know: The struggling Stallions program is looking for a sign of improvement after winning its opener last year followed by 14 consecutive losses. Sierra returns a group of experienced defenders.

Widefield

Coach: Tyler McKay, second season

Key players: Melina Melendez, Sr., forward; Asia Mather, Sr., midfielder; Vadianna Martinez, Soph., forward; Mya Sopher, Sr., midfielder/defender.

What to know: The attacking duo of Melina Melendez and Vadianna Martinez has coach Tyler McKay hopeful the Gladiators can build on last season’s 3-12 campaign. Melendez led Widefield with five goals a year ago, while Martinez scored twice as a freshman. Mya Sopher and Asia Mather also return after scoring multiple goals.

Woodland Park

Coach: Daniel Ganoza, first season

Key players: Sam Lecky, Sr., midfielder; Maia Pappadakis, Sr., goalkeeper; Cailin Edie, Jr., midfielder; Libby Blacklock, Jr., forward; Karly Purkey, Soph., midfielder.

What to know: New coach Daniel Ganoza said he looks forward to seeing what this season has in store for a mostly young squad. The Panthers went 6-9 last year when Maia Pappadakis and Sam Lecky led the team with eight goals apiece. Pappadakis also spent some time in goal as a junior.

Not reporting: Mesa Ridge, Canon City, Elizabeth, The Classical Academy.

Pikes Peak

Air Academy

Coach: Espen Hosoien, fourth year

Key players: Katlyn Blacksten, Sr., goalkeeper; Mary Parchinski, Sr., defender; Liza Louthan, Jr., defender; Hayden Smith, Sr., defender; Zoe Sims, Jr., midfielder; Kylee Blacksten, Soph., midfielder; Baylee Barnes, Jr., forward; Anna Duffy, Jr., midfielder; Meagan Bobo, Jr., midfielder; Cassidy Olsen, Sr., forward; Makenna Kardell, Sr., forward; Sophie Dawrant, Sr., goalkeeper.

What to know: Talent and depth has coach Espen Hosoien believing the Kadets can make a deep postseason run. Baylee Barnes returns after leading Air Academy with 22 points last season (seven goals, eight assists). Air Academy will await the arrival of seven members of its girls basketball team.

Cheyenne Mountain

Coach: Tomas Martinez, eighth season

Key players: Bella Zanotelli, Soph., goalkeeper; Lisa Long, Jr., forward; Carly Fetters, Jr., midfielder; Marissa Dowlin, Jr., midfielder.

What to know: Martinez said he’s breaking in a virtually new team after the graduation of eight seniors and the loss of Claire Ross to early enrollment at Mississippi State. Lisa Long, the leading scorer of last year’s 9-7 squad, is back for her junior year after posting nine goals and six assists as a sophomore. Bella Zanotelli figures to be a familiar face in goal after making 94 saves as a freshman.

Palmer Ridge

Coach: Nick Odil, 10th season

Key players: Emily Nguyen, Sr., forward; Jordan Gouner, Sr., forward; Abi Barhydt, Soph., midfielder; Cass Campbell, Jr., defender; Sarah Miller, Soph., forward; Kelsea Douglas, Jr., midfielder; Jordan Taft, Soph., midfielder; Natalie Bame, Sr., defender; Kayla Glaser, Sr., goalkeeper.

What to know: The Bears hope to get a boost from what coach Nick Odil called the most talented freshman class Palmer Ridge has had in a few years. Odil also has his top four scorers back from the 2017 squad that went 7-9 in Emily Nguyen (eight goals), Sarah Miller (five goals), Jordan Gouner (three goals) and Abi Barhydt (three goals).

Sand Creek

Coach: Jeremy Tafoya, eighth season

Key players: Jaden Davis, Jr., midfielder; Amanda Garrett, Jr., midfielder; Sydney Chafee, Jr., midfielder; Ashley Witherill, Sr., defender; Zoe Shank, Soph., forward; Rebecca Knoche, Jr., forward; Shauna Beech, Jr., forward; Lexi Collard, Soph., midfielder; Lili Flores, Jr., forward.

What to know: Jeremy Tafoya is excited about the experience of his squad and said he adds a group of exceptional players in key positions, including goalkeeper. One of those experienced players, Jaden Davis, is back for a junior season after leading the Scorpions to an 8-7 season last year with 17 goals and 19 assists.

Not reporting: Falcon, Lewis-Palmer, Discovery Canyon, Vista Ridge.

Class 3A

Region 1

St. Mary’s

Coach: Gregg Braha, 16th season

Key players: Faith Heery, Sr., midfielder; Marisa Shigio, Sr., midfielder; Sydney Silver, Sr., defender; Tara Thomas, Sr., defender.

What to know: The Pirates didn’t start practicing at full strength, as Braha said he’s waiting for six players to finish up the basketball postseason. Faith Heery returns for her final season after leading the Pirates, which went 11-5, with 16 goals and 13 assists.

Not reporting: James Irwin.

Region 2

Colorado Springs Christian School

Coach: Jason Rollins, fifth season

Key players: Grace Rummel, Sr., midfielder; Sarah McGuckin, Sr., midfielder; Katie McGrath, Sr., defender; Virginia McGrath, Sr., defender; Abby Knedler, Jr., midfielder; Ariel Summeril, Soph., defender; Megan Boucher, Soph., goalkeeper; Kaitlyn Halverson, Jr., midfielder.

What to know: Rollins plans to utilize a mix of established players and newcomers after the Lions went 12-4 and reached the postseason a year ago. The Lions return a group of defenders but will need to find scorers after departed Gabby Huthoefer and Hannah Wilson combined for 59 of the team’s 78 goals a year ago. Sarah McGuckin is the top returning scorer after bagging six goals as a junior.

Manitou Springs

Coach: Ben Mack, fourth year

Key players: Olivia McKenna, Jr., forward; Bridget Bodor, Jr., forward; Ava Spangler, Jr., defender; Ailsa Connors, Jr., midfielder; Roxy Witham, Jr., defender; Brooklyn Mack, Sr., forward; Caileen Sienknecht, Jr., midfielder; Maddie Grant, Jr., defender; Alyssa Holladay, Sr., defender/GK; Mylea Harangozo, Jr., midfielder.

What to know: An impressive junior class looks to lead the Mustangs on another state run after reaching the 2017 quarterfinals. Brooklyn Mack is back for her senior season after leading Manitou Springs with 67 points (29 goals, nine assists). Bridget Bodor, Olivia McKenna and Caileen Sienknecht each scored at least seven goals and added five or more assists last year as sophomores. The Mustangs will need to break in a new keeper after losing Monique Heiniger, who handled all but nine minutes between the posts.

The Vanguard School

Coach: Rachel Francis, second year

Key players: Not provided

What to know: Francis called her squad “a young team with a lot of returning players and many natural leaders on the field.” The Coursers went 7-7-1 a year ago and were led by 34 goals from then-freshman Aliyah Moya. Vanguard will need to find a new primary keeper after Angie Nguyen’s departure.

Not reporting: Ellicott, Florence.

Class 2A

Region 1

Colorado Springs School

Coach: Mark Perdew, first season

Key players: Ali Graham, Sr., midfielder; Katherine Hatch, Jr., forward; Autumn Crow, Soph., midfield; Kylie Crow, Soph., midfielder; Sam Eisenberger, Sr., goalkeeper.

What to know: Perdew takes over a Kodiaks team that went 6-8 a year ago and returns experience in midfield and goal. Ali Graham led CSS with 15 goals and 10 assists a year ago, while Kylie Crow scored nine goals and set up five others as a freshman. Katherine Hatch (seven goals, nine assists) and Autumn Crow (five goals, eight assists) were also integral parts of the Kodiak attack in 2017.

Fountain Valley High School

Coach: Kevin Ray, first year

Key players: Kendall Weiskopf, Sr., defender; Harriet Townsend, Soph., defender; Ava Rahm, Sr., goalkeeper; Ani Love, Sr., midfielder; Emily Dixon, Soph., midfielder; Emma Hamill, Sr., forward.

What to know: Ray takes over a squad that returns a group of key contributors from last year’s squad that reached the state semifinals. Gone, however, are the three seniors that combined to score 73 of the team’s 91 goals. Ani Love is the leading returning scorer after netting seven goals and 13 assists last year. Ava Rahm returns in goal after recording 85 saves as a junior.

Not reporting: Evangelical Christian.