Bloomfield College's Jim Davidson is the most decorated football coach in state history. He left the boys program after the 2021 season with eight state titles, but still has two titles with the girls program.
Last spring, he described his 2023 class as one of the best the program has ever graduated. So, of course, their surprise loss to champion Thunder Ridge in the quarterfinals left a lot of expectations.
Now in 2024, the Eagles hope to respond with a big season despite the departure of their strong alumni.
In our first Women's Soccer survey of the season, we'll focus on some of the teams expected to advance within their respective classes, providing some early insight.
Class 5A
Bloomfield Eagles (4-0-1): With some new faces in the starting lineup, Davidson's group is off to a strong start this spring with four wins and one tie against Valor Christian, another likely 5A contender.
Marley Winston, who had two goals in all of 2023, had four goals and one assist last week alone. In net for the Eagles, his junior Addy Colangelo made 20 saves in a five-game shutout.
Their next match will be at home against Windsor on April 2nd.
Rocky Mountain Lobos (2-0): The Lobos appear to have a lot of talent back from their 2023 quarterfinal appearance, with 54 of last season's 61 goals coming from players who didn't graduate.
Jace Hawley, who had 24 goals and five assists last spring, had four assists as the Lobos opened the season with blowout wins over Douglas County (5-0, March 7) and Poudre (4-1, March 19). He had a goal and one assist. .
Tuesday at home against Ralston Valley.
class 4A
Lutheran Lions (2-0): They were the top seed in the 4A postseason a year ago, but lost in the finals to second-seeded Dakota Ridge.
Brooklyn Bassey opened the season with four goals and six assists in wins over Wheat Ridge (March 7, 9-0) and Colorado Springs Christian (March 12, 10-0). The senior had 19 goals and 13 helpers a year ago.
The Lions play at home against Green Mountain on Tuesday.
Meade Mavericks (1-0): The Mavericks lost 1-0 to top-seeded Lutheran in last year's semifinals.
They bring back junior Katie Adler, who was the Longmont Times Call Player of the Year and was also named to the 4A first team last year. Adler had 16 goals and six assists in 2023 and opened 2024 with two goals in a 4-1 win over Frederick on March 12.
The Mavericks will compete on Horizon Monday.
class 3A
Jefferson Academy Jaguars (1-0): In winning last year's title, the Jags added Kate Runyon, who graduated from 3A and was named Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year, as well as midfielder Allie Jo Kirkpatrick, who was also selected to the 3A first team, and goalie. We got Helen Stegner.
But they bring back great talent. Senior Gianna Gagliano was also a first-team player with 32 goals and 17 assists as a junior. Kicking off the season, she scored a career-best five goals and one assist in a 10-0 win against Middle Park on March 9.
The Jags will be at Pomona on March 28th.
Colorado Academy Mustangs (2-0): It wasn't a difficult choice to highlight 3A with two teams from the same league. The league has selected the past 11 state champions in this class.
The Mustangs lost to Jefferson Academy in last year's semifinals, but junior Serena Frenz (20 goals, 12 assists in 2023) and senior Naomi Wolf (21 goals, 8 assists).
Frenz opened the season by scoring in both games against 4A Mullen (March 9, 2-1) and 5A Columbine (March 12, 3-2).
The Mustangs will play at Eagle Ridge Academy on April 2nd and will have a final rematch at home against the Jags on April 4th.
class 2A
Dawson Mustangs (2-0): The Mustangs have won the most state titles since 2A became a girls soccer category in 2015, winning three. However, last year they were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
They bring back their leading scorer from the past two seasons, junior Kanoe Bihag, who added seven more goals this year, giving him 75 goals in his career. She scored five goals in the season opener against Bellevue Christian (March 7, 7-0), her third career game, and in the game against Twin Peaks Academy (March 11, 10-0). I scored a goal.
They will play at home against Loveland Classic on April 3rd.
Flatirons Academy Bison (2-0): The Bison, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals last spring, have regained most of their production offensively, with nine of their 61 goals in 2023 coming from their senior class.
Annabelle Lakers led the team with 20 goals and seven helpers a year ago and opened the scoring in 2024 with two goals and one assist against DSST: Conservatory Green (9-1, March 13) did. The Bison started the season with a win over St. Mary's (March 11, 9-1).
Bison will be at Vanguard School on April 2nd.