COMMERCE CITY – The Jefferson Academy girls soccer team has knocked Colorado Academy out in the state semifinals in each of the past two seasons but, historically, Colorado Academy has been a bad matchup for Jefferson Academy in the Class 3A state championship match.

On Tuesday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the top-seeded Colorado Academy Mustangs won 3-1 over No. 2 seed and defending champion Jefferson Academy in this year’s 3A championship to claim its first title since 2019. It was the third time since 2014 that Colorado Academy has defeated Jefferson Academy in the 3A title match.

“From the moment I came into high school, this is the dream, obviously,” Colorado Academy senior Naomi Wolff said. “I knew that this team had the potential from the beginning of the season and all we had to do was be there (mentally) here (in the title match) and we knew it would work out for us. This is the best day I could have hoped for.”

Wolff’s 19th goal of the season opened the scoring in the 15th minute and the Mustangs (18-0) led 1-0 at halftime. Mustangs sophomore Lyla Kocher scored in the 63rd minute to give the Mustangs a two-goal lead.

Jefferson Academy’s Brianna Kozlowski scored in the 76th minute to put the Jaguars (17-3) on the board. But a second goal from Wolff in the 78th minute dashed all hope of a comeback.

“I think the girls really bought into what it was going to take,” Mustangs head coach Sean Stedeford said. “They had to be organized. They had to be disciplined. And in the game of soccer, sometimes things go your way and our goalkeeper was outstanding.”

Colorado Academy’s junior goalkeeper Lucy Garnsey, who made 17 saves in the game, was named the Sportswomen of Colorado Most Outstanding Player.

“Our team has been working so hard all season to get this,” Garnsey said. “I think, honestly, we all did this together and I think it was really special – the group we had this year. It means the world because the last two years, we lost to this team. Now we finally got it back.

“It felt good getting recognition for the work I’ve put in. I’ve definitely put in a lot of work over the last three years and it’s nice to have it finally show through on the big stage.”

Tuesday’s win also capped an unbeaten season for Colorado Academy.

“This team, this year, I don’t think they cared who was on the other side of the field,” Stedeford said. “They attacked every team with the same respect and they prepared the same way. For them to go undefeated with the schedule they had is really special.”

This is Colorado Academy’s sixth girls soccer title, which ties the Mustangs with Grandview for fourth most all time.

A Metro League team has now won the last dozen 3A girls soccer titles.