D’Evelyn girls soccer impressive in win over Lakewood
LAKEWOOD — D’Evelyn’s girls soccer team played greedy Thursday at Lakewood Memorial Field
The Jaguars (3-0 record) simply wouldn’t give up the ball on their way to a 4-0 non-league victory against Class 5A Jeffco’s Lakewood.
“We definitely try to go forward as much as we can, but as long as we possess it we know at some point we are going to get it in,” D’Evelyn sophomore Laryssa Hamblen said.
D’Evelyn, ranked No. 8 in the CHSAANow.com preseason 4A girls soccer poll, dominated possession which led to a pair of goals in the opening 15 minutes. Hamblen knocked in a rebound after a free kick in the 7th minute. Junior Anna Wright gave D’Evelyn a 2-0 lead on a straight-on run toward Lakewood senior goalie Brynne Davis in the 14th minute.
“When the goalie started coming out on me I knew I had to place it,” Wright said of her goal. “I just went for it and it went in.”
The Jaguars tacked on another pair of goals in the second half. Sophomore Shiloh Miller got a little lucky when her outside shot hit the cross bar, but bounced off the back of Davis and into the back of the net in the 48th minute.
Miller is one of three high-level club players who decided to play at the high school level this season. D’Evelyn coach Paul Moline says the added talent has “changed the dynamics” of the squad.
“We were a very good team last year, but I don’t think we had the depth like we have this year,” Moline said.
D’Evelyn lost 1-0 in the second round of the 4A state tournament last year to eventual state champion Lewis-Palmer.
Sophomore Anne Pampalone closed out the scoring volleying in a ball off a corner kick in the 73rd minute. D’Evelyn has outscored Chatfield, Battle Mountain and Lakewood 11-2 in its three early-season victories.
“I think we are doing very well,” Wright said. “Our possession is very good moving from defense to midfield to forward.”
D’Evelyn has a pair of non-league games against Dakota Ridge and Centaurus next week before heading into spring break the final week of March. The Jaguars begin their conference schedule against No. 7 Wheat Ridge (4-0) on April 4.
“It’s a monster. Hopefully you are ready to plan in the tournament after playing in 4A Jeffco. It’s a handful,” Moline said of the 4A Jeffco League that features four teams that were in the top-10 in the CHSAANow.com 4A girls soccer preseason poll. “Valor is loaded. That’s the team to beat.”
Lakewood (1-3) has a trio of games in four days next week. Tigers’ coach Tom Noor believes next week might be the biggest week of the season for Lakewood.
“I think more important for us is next week when we aren’t playing top-10 teams,” Noor said. “We’ve got to get some wins.”
All three of Lakewood’s losses have come against ranked teams — Evergreen and D’Evelyn in 4A and Arapahoe in 5A. The Tigers were also missing a pair of starters Thursday who were at a club tournament in Las Vegas and have also been dealing with injuries already this season.
“They are a good team for sure. No doubt about it,” Noor said about D’Evelyn. “We got a little beat up Tuesday against Evergreen, another top-10 4A team. I don’t know if we’ve recovered from that.”
After a busy week, the Tigers have nearly a two-week break before the start of their 5A Jeffco slate that begins against Ralston Valley on April 6.
