Bonifazi scores early to lead Mountain Vista girls soccer over Fort Collins

FORT COLLINS — Mia Bonifazi, one of two freshmen to start for the Mountain Vista girls soccer team Thursday night, put a goal in the back of the net from 12 yards out 1:57 into the Golden Eagles’ game at Fort Collins. The strike captured everything that made Mountain Vista successful in a 2-0 victory over the Lambkins at French Field.

Mountain Vista (4-0) controlled possession, found Bonifazi with a crisp pass and she did the rest, unleashing a high-arcing shot in what would be the game-winning goal. The Golden Eagles dominated the ball in long stretches and took advantage offensively enough times to claim the win Thursday.

In a game between two familiar programs, the teams played each other in both the regular season and playoffs last year, both Mountain Vista victories, the Golden Eagles’ chemistry and talent was too much for upset minded Fort Collins (0-2) to overcome.

“I think the thing we did best was keep the ball,” coach Theresa Echtermeyer said about the victory. “We had the majority of the possession the majority of the game, especially in the first half. I think we did a good job playing balls through seams when they gave them to us. I think they were probably stronger than us out of the air, so that’s something we’re going to work on, but it was a really good team win.

Mountain Vista, the returning state champions and the No. 1 ranked team in this week’s 5A girls soccer rankings, has been known as a powerhouse program built upon a smothering defense. No. 10 Fort Collins got very few clean looks at the goal and the defense was mostly strong, especially in the first half, but Echtermeyer said her team is built a little differently than in years past.

“I think actually our strength this year is probably on the attack, which is unusual for us,” Echtermeyer said. “I think our defense will continue to get better as the season goes along.

“I have fewer returning starters on this team than I’ve ever had. I think you’ll see us have more synergy defensively as the season goes along.”

Mountain Vista held a 1-0 lead going into the half, a margin that didn’t feel as close as the score indicated. Fort Collins did expose some holes in the young Golden Eagles defense after halftime though as Nicole Dietrich, Jordan Falsetto, and Payton Humpal attacked aggressively and got a few looks at goal. Mountain Vista tightened up late defensively and sealed the win on a Kelsey Luke score with three minutes remaining.

Luke, a senior midfielder/forward and University of Albany recruit, beat the defense with speed on a through ball and slipped a goal past Fort Collins goalkeeper Catherine Ameson.

Luke and Bonifazi helped overcome the loss of midfielder Brooke Blasi, a University of Montana signee, who suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this year. Several other key players were also missing in action due to the district’s spring break this week.

“In all sports you have adversity and you have to see what your team’s willing to do when they have that kind of adversity. It was a great team win,” Echtermeyer reiterated.

The culture, chemistry, and talent in the Mountain Vista girls soccer program was evident Thursday night in a solid win over a worthy opponent in Fort Collins. They’ll be back in action Saturday when they host Arapahoe High School at Shea Stadium.