Evergreen girls soccer pass first postseason test with flying colors

LAKEWOOD — The playoff path to a third straight Class 4A girls soccer state championship for Evergreen was cleared with a little assist from Jeffco Public Schools’ stadium crew Wednesday.

No. 6-seeded Evergreen wasn’t able to host its opening round game at Evergreen High School after more than a foot of snow fell up the hill overnight. The decision was made to move the game against No. 27 Ponderosa down to Trailblazer Stadium in Lakewood. 

“At 9 a.m. I thought they must be crazy to play soccer today, but at 5 p.m. I’m glad it’s over and we got it in,” Evergreen coach Peter Jeans said after the Cougars’ 6-0 victory.

Stadium managers from the four Jeffco district stadiums descended on Trailblazer in the morning to clear the field for a trio of 4A girls soccer playoff games. Evergreen kicked things off with a 3 p.m. start.

“I’m very grateful that they were able to clear it off,” Evergreen senior Nadia Leunig said of the field. “We were all mentally ready to play today. It wasn’t that slick or wet. Once the sun came out it was super nice.”

Seniors Gianna Weiner and Leunig had a stellar first half. Weiner had goals in the 6th and 18th minutes, along with a pair of assists. Leunig had goals in the 18th and 20th minutes. Leunig’s first goal was a header off a corner kick from Weiner.

“I don’t think we’ve had a clean hit off of a corner yet this year,” Weiner said of her first of two assists. “That was a good moment, especially with Nadia on end of it. That felt really good.”

The last time Evergreen played at Trailblazer Stadium was in the 4A state semifinals a year ago. While the Cougars defeated Lutheran 3-1, Leunig picked up two yellow cards, which resulted in a red card that forced her to serve a 1-game suspension and miss the 4A state title game.

“Really bad memories. Horrible memories,” Leunig said recalling the last time she played at Trailblazer Stadium. “I knew it would bring things back up, but it was all about how I needed to bounce back. It’s a new game and that was long ago.” 

Jeans was more than happy with how Leunig played Wednesday.

“She (Nadia) played a great game,” Jeans said. “She played hard. She led and finished goals. She was fantastic.” 

Freshman Anya Leunig — Nadia’s younger sister — put in the final goal of the first half in the 29th minute to give the Cougars a comfortable 5-0 lead at halftime.

Weiner completed her hat-trick with her third goal in the 55th minute for the lone goal in the second half. Evergreen junior goalie Avery Mahnken didn’t see much action in the Cougars’ seventh shutout victory of the season. 

“It doesn’t feel any different for me at least,” Weiner said of the Cougars going after a three-peat. “I think we are a team that isn’t going to take anything lightly. This season has been unique.” 

The Cougars (11-2-3 record) has had a few hiccups with a tie against Standley Lake in league play and a regular-season ending loss to Air Academy before the postseason. There is a chance Evergreen could match-up against the No. 3 Kadets in the quarterfinals.

“We are trying to be very focused on playing great each game,” Jeans said. “Every game is do-or-die. It’s a new challenge and you have to get the game right. We did that today.”

The two-time defending 4A state champions host No. 11 Pueblo County in the second round Saturday, May 9. That game will likely be played up at Evergreen High School, if the over a foot of snow that fell in Evergreen on Tuesday night into Wednesday is clear by Saturday. 

The Hornets took a 4-0 first-round win over Adams City on Tuesday night.