LAKEWOOD — It might be a drastic understatement from Green Mountain’s girls soccer coach Bari Abuhadema that he has a ‘solid’ defense this season.
The No. 2-seeded Rams has allowed just one goal over their last 10 games. Green Mountain showed off its stingy defense in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament Wednesday night with a 5-0 shutout victory over No. 31 Eagle Valley.
“We have been doing great. Our back has been really strong,” Green Mountain senior defender Piper Carlson said. “Keeping that strong communication has been key.”
Green Mountain (14-0-2 record) actually entered the state tournament as the lone team in the 32-team field without a loss. The Rams’ two blemishes are a pair of ties against 4A Jeffco rivals Evergreen (defending 4A state champions) and D’Evelyn.
Just as impressive, the Rams have 11 shutouts this season. In fact, Green Mountain has given up just six goals all season.
“We just have to keep pushing and working hard,” Carlson said of the undefeated streak. “We need to get better and progress. We want to keep this momentum going.”
The Rams got off to a 2-0 lead at halftime against Eagle Valley (7-6-3). Junior Charlize Ellsworth put in the first goal in the 18th minute. Ellsworth was able to stay composed and dribble past senior goalie Sienna Marana who had come out of the net.
Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Public Schools
“I’m not going to just shot when I get it,” Ellsworth said of her approach on her first goal. “I wanted to take a touch and then finish.”
The leading goal scorer in 4A put Green Mountain up 2-0 in the 37th minute. Senior Alysaa Hamilton put in her 31st goal of the season on a laser of a shot from just inside the goal box.
Despite being doubled and triple teamed at times, Hamilton has scored a goal in 14 of the Rams’ 16 games this season.
“Alyssa is amazing,” Ellsworth said of the senior who is headed to the University of Idaho. “She helps the team too much. We play off of each other. It’s just great.”
Senior Sasha Calanni pushed Green Mountain’s lead to 3-0 early in the second half on a shot that sailed over the hands of Eagle Valley senior goalie Sienna Marana. Ellsworth made it a 4-0 game with her second goal of the night on a chip shot over Marana.
“Honestly, it used to be a pressure on me,” Ellsworth said of knowing she needs to produce goals with so much attention paid to Hamilton. “I’ve learned to embrace it and finish my chances. When I get the ball, just be calm and finish on it.”
Green Mountain finished out the win with a penalty shot goal from junior Madeline Amolsch in the 72nd minute.
The Rams will host No. 18 Lewis-Palmer on Saturday, May 10, back at Lakewood Memorial Field. The Rangers scored a mild 1-0 upset victory on the road against No. 15 Thompson Valley on Wednesday night.
“Moving forward, it’s going to get tougher,” Abuhadema said as the Rams heading to the next round against Lewis-Palmer. “We need to be better.”
Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Public Schools
