Colorado Academy cruises to ninth straight girls lacrosse title

DENVER — Colorado Academy girls lacrosse has lost once to an in-state opponent since April 2, 2014. But last week, Valor Christian put a scare into the Mustangs, up two goals late before a comeback secured Colorado Academy a spot in the Class 5A state championship game.

With new life Friday, the most dominant girls lacrosse team in state history wasn’t about to leave any doubt at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium on the University of Denver’s campus. Colorado Academy opened a big lead early and Fairview never came close as the Mustangs cruised to a 15-3 victory to secure their ninth consecutive state championship.

Colorado Academy already had the longest state title streak when they won their fourth in 2018, but now they’re tied with Cherry Creek with 10 championships since the sport was sanctioned in 1998. The victory against is the second-widest margin in the title game’s history and three goals is the fewest allowed in the season’s biggest game.

“It’s how our program is,” coach Sonorah Hunter said. “We had a really uncharacteristic semifinal, so we really wanted to get back to the fun lacrosse that we really love. We wanted to show that we have gritty players and share the joy that these girls have for the sport.”

With 3:21 left in the first quarter, Zoe Martin already had a hat trick. Her goals, combined with markers from Alex May and Charlotte Corkins, put the Mustangs up 5-1 at the end of the first quarter.

Skyler May, who assisted on all three of Martin’s markers, scored one of her own to open the second quarter. The Mustangs quickly added another before the Knights found the net for a second time to make it 7-2 at the half.

The third quarter was tilted heavily to the Mustangs, with Corkins finding her second goal and Skylar May picked up a hat trick. Less than 15 seconds after that, Addy Smith crashed into the net for a score that capped the third quarter with the Mustangs on top 11-2.

The running clock started with 10:42 left in the fourth when Smith lobbed a pass to a crashing Martin, who easily buried the shot. Skylar May set up her sister for another goal, then Martin made it 14-2 by catching a pass fired directly over the cage. Estella Geller added one final marker before Fairview got the last score in the game’s final seconds.

Martin was selected as the game’s most valuable player and said it was a team effort to secure the lopsided victory.

“Coming off Valor game, that was challenging and they made us work for it,” Martin said. “To see everyone put in 100% today and really step up their games — I mean, I couldn’t have done what I did without everyone. I have our goalie, our defense, our midfield to thank for the win today.”