COLORADO SPRINGS – Thrice is nice for the Evergreen girls soccer team.
Not one, not two, but three times in a row the Cougars have claimed the Class 4A state crown, posting a 3-0 shutout win over Mullen in the championship game on Tuesday night at Switchbacks Weidner Field – dominating the road to a three-peat.
And if there was ever a question, it was settled in the opening minute when senior Gianna Weiner split a pair of defenders after receiving a pass from fellow senior Nadia Leunig to find the back of the net – putting Evergreen on the scoreboard before most fans could find their seat.
“They were ready to play. My hat’s off to them,” head coach Peter Jeans said. “I didn’t have to say anything to them in the pre-game. I just ‘Let’s roll the balls out. We’ve prepared. Let’s go and do it.’ And they did it right away. They were prepared.”
Weiner didn’t stop there, though.
Continuing to battle in the first half, she delivered a long pass to sophomore Maija Alper, who was easily able to tap in another goal in the 23rd minute. That lead provided Evergreen with a 2-0 halftime lead, and ultimately cushion for the rest of the match.
Looking to put the game on ice, the Cougars followed up with a goal from junior Elle Buenning on a perfect centering-pass from Alper in the 60th minute.
Evergreen now has five state titles in program history.
“I’m so proud of this team and what we’ve been able to do,” Weiner said. “This year started off rough. Going three in a row is kind of unheard of, especially in 4A soccer, so I’m really proud of what this team has done.”
Evergreen posted a 15-2-3 overall record en route to capturing the state title, while Mullen finished 12-5-3 as runner-up. The Mustangs were a ‘Cinderella Story’ as the No. 12 seed in the CHSAA playoff bracket.