DENVER – All those “not-so-fun Mondays” paid off for the Valor Christian girls lacrosse team Friday at Peter Barton Stadium.
That’s what Eagles call their conditioning days, where coach Sam Geiersbach and her staff put the team through intense training. But the important part is that the team completes them together, and it ultimately made the difference in the Class 5A state championship game against ThunderRidge.
After falling behind 7-4 in the second quarter, Valor’s superior speed and endurance kicked in, powering them to a comeback 12-8 win and their first state championship in program history. The Eagles were twice runners-up, losing to Colorado Academy in 2021 and 2022, but put it together with a first-year head coach who was hired in February.
“They’re a fast group already,” Geiersbach said. “They put in a ton of work to get into this kind of shape. They didn’t have much of a preseason with no head coach, but we got to work as soon as I got in. They really hit the group running with conditioning and getting the speed worked up. Super proud of the effort they put in and what it came to tonight.”
Rocquette Allen put the Grizzlies up early, less than an hour after walking at graduation just a few hundred feet away at Magness Arena. She scored the game’s first goal less than one minute in, then added a second eight seconds later. By the time graduation attendees were filing out of the arena, she had five goals and two assists as the Grizzlies built a 7-3 lead. ThunderRidge fans crowded at the corners of the stadium to watch through the chain-link gates, and more climbed to the top row of nearby CIBER Stadium, which houses University of Denver’s soccer teams, to watch from there.
But the additional eyes didn’t faze Valor. If anything, they locked in harder. The defense held down Allen, a Syracuse commit, the rest of the way, and the offense kicked off a scoring spurt. The Eagles tied it 7-7 by halftime and led 9-8 after three quarters, kicking off a 3-0, possession-driven stretch in the fourth.
Gia Bigelow finished with four goals and two assists for Valor and said the team play was a driving force in the victory.
“It comes down to community,” Bigelow said. “It’s one girl versus the 30 we have on our team. One girl against the 30 of us and we know we’ve worked harder than any other team out here.”
On the defensive end, Allie Moskowitz put in a clinic in the cage, finishing with nine saves in the second half, including several hard shots to the midsection. That, coupled with long Valor possessions on the offensive end, put things out of reach.
The Eagles also limited penalty and free play situations, receiving just one card — late in the fourth quarter — compared to four for the Grizzlies. Geiersbach said discipline was key, especially once they had the lead in the second half.
The victory kicked off celebrations with one of the largest crowds of the evening.
“It’s awesome,” she said. “What a community we have. So many friends, family, staff members. Everyone is here to support what these girls have worked so hard for.”
