5A girls soccer: Broomfield, Grandview to meet in title game
Photo: Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Sports Information
DENVER — Broomfield’s quest to win back-to-back Class 5A girls soccer state titles is alive after a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory Thursday night at Ciber Field at the University of Denver campus
The Eagles will go for the repeat 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
(2) Broomfield 2, (6) Columbine 1 (OT)
It didn’t look promising for the defending Class 5A state champions with 5 minutes to play in the first semifinal Thursday night at Ciber Field.
Broomfield trailed Columbine 1-0 after junior Riley Kaali-Nagy scored in the 69th minute on a rocket shot to break the scoreless tie. It looked like the Rebels (14-4-1 record) would be heading to back the 5A state championship game for the first time since winning the program’s first state title back in 2014.
“It was really tough,” Broomfield junior Michaela McGowan said of the Eagles down late. “We stepped up to the plate and did it.”
Broomfield junior Nicky Choren evened up the match with a header off a corner kick with 3 minutes remaining in regulation time to tie things up 1-1.
“I thought we were doing a good job managing the game,” Columbine coach Brian Todd said. “A free service into your box anything can happen. We left one of their taller players (Choren) a little free.”
The Eagles had the momentum going into overtime and ended it in the 86th minute. McGowan had some space down the line and then charged toward Columbine junior goalie Adelyn Todd.
“We needed the goal,” McGowan said of her run before she slipped a pass to sophomore Kayla Loughrey. “Sure enough Kayla was there to finish it. It was beautiful. I’m super thrilled that we are going to the finals.”
The Rebels’ goalie had to come out on McGowan and that left a wide-open net on the far side for Loughrey, who didn’t hesitate knocking in the game-winning goal.
“Honestly, I was a little worried that wasn’t going to be a cross to me,” Loughrey said. “I needed to find a way to find my way through. I made eye contact with her (McGowan).”
Loughrey admitted the Eagles were “a little scared” being down late, but the goal by Choren gave Broomfield the momentum heading into overtime.
“Going to the finals. It’s great,” Loughrey said.
Broomfield improved to 16-2 on the season. The Eagles are trying to repeat as state champions and showed their experience late against Columbine.
“Credit to Broomfield,” Coach Todd said. “They found the two moments they needed to win the game.”
(4) Grandview 1, (1) Valor Christian 0 (2OT)
It’ll be up to Grandview to challenge the Broomfield Eagles as they attempt to repeat as Class 5A state champions.
In the semifinals on Thursday night – late into the night – Grandview gutted out a 1-0 double overtime victory over top-seeded Valor Christian and punched its way into the state championship game next Wednesday. The Wolves, who didn’t make the postseason last season, have won five girls soccer championships and won as recently as 2019.
Neither team could score until Grandview’s Naomi Clark finally found the back of the net in the second overtime to send the Wolves to the title game. They will face defending champion Broomfield on Wednesday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
