Green Mountain girls lacrosse sharp in season opener

LAKEWOOD — Shea Murphy would have rather been at the Denver Coliseum on the morning of March 12.

A loss to Mullen in the Final Four of the Class 4A girls basketball state tournament on March 10 ended the hoops season for Green Mountain. Still, Murphy had no problem heading to Trailblazer Stadium on Saturday morning to play in the Rams’ girls lacrosse season opener against Grand Junction.

“It is so nice to be out here,” Murphy said. “I’m a little sad that basketball is over, but we get to celebrate tomorrow at our banquet. It’s on to the next sport.”

Murphy helped the Rams win 83 varsity basketball games during her four-year varsity career on the hardwood. The senior midfielder helped Green Mountain to a 24-4 victory on the lacrosse field scoring five goals.

“Lacrosse is kind of my main sport,” said Murphy, who had signed to play lacrosse at Regis University next school year. “I was really excited to get out here and help out the team. It’s a good group of girls.”

Murphy isn’t the only basketball player making the quick transition to the lacrosse field. Freshman Avery Freedman was another basketball player that made her mark Saturday morning scoring four goals for the Rams.

“It has been a pretty seamless transition for all of the girls,” Green Mountain coach Maddi Ossello said of the handful of basketball players in the lacrosse program. “I was sad to see them lose in the Final Four, but we are excited to have them back for Friday’s practice and out here today.”

Junior Sophia Warren equaled Murphy’s goal production with five goals herself. Freshmen Kara Harris and Rome Villani each scored three goals. Senior Trish Le added a goal for the Rams.

“I can see the potential in the team already,” Murphy said. “I’m really excited to see how far we can go.”

Green Mountain advanced all the way to the 4A state quarterfinals last season despite playing a first-year goalie in Gretchen Hoffman between the pipes. Hoffman was solid in next in the opening allowing just four goals.

“She (Hoffman) has stepped up huge as a goalie this year,” Ossello said. “Her communication is there. She makes those really important saves. She has really stepped up as a leader even if it is only her second season playing goalie.”

There isn’t much question that the 4A West League will be the toughest in 4A this season. Evergreen, Poudre School District, Golden, Castle View and Green Mountain were all ranked in the top-10 in the CHSAANow.com preseason poll.

“We want to go further in playoffs for sure,” Ossello said of the Rams losing to eventual state champion and Jeffco rival Evergreen in the 4A state quarterfinals last season. “I think there is a shot at state, but they need to stay humble and stay focused on the season.”