Denver East, the defending Class 5A boys soccer state champion, returns 10 players who either started or contributed heavy minutes to the Angels' title 2011 drive.
Like most of the state's top-tier programs, however, Denver East was not unscathed by the glut of defections to U.S. Soccer Development Academies that will water down the talent pool on the high school scene. New regulations by USA Soccer essentially forbid academy players from participating in high school athletics this season and it should play a role in the state's pecking order.
Yet with a tradition sharpened by two state championships over the past four seasons, and an infusion of a handful of talented newcomers, Denver East is uniquely suited to reloading on the fly enough to contend for another state title this year.
"I think for us a key has been that a lot of our guys have played club together since they were young kids," East head coach Beth Hinz said. "I think that's also what happened in '08. We had a group of guys that not only were used to playing together, but they enjoyed it and worked hard for one another. They don't keep the neighborhood kids together anymore. But these guys have been, and I think that has really helped us."
The Angels will attempt to make a repeat title run without the services of Ashi Geberkidane and Dakota Peterson, two of the club's key contributors last year who will spend their senior seasons training with the Colorado Rapids Development Academy. Geberkidane led Denver East with 16 goals while sharing the team lead with seven assists. He also was a difference-maker in the state tournament, recording four goals and two assists.
However, Hinz is thrilled with the return of senior goalkeeper
Marques McDonald. It's a somewhat surprising return after McDonald was not selected for a Development Academy, and his presence between the pipes will be crucial to the Angels' repeat championship hopes.
"It blows my mind how people keep missing (McDonald). He's been phenomenal for us," Hinz said. "This is very good for us. He's the kind of kid that likes a smaller environment, that likes things that are familiar. I think he's happy to be back."
Despite the losses to the Rapids Development Academy, Denver East should again be one of the premier squads in the state. Hinz has high praise for former junior varsity standout
Antwi Kwame, and the addition of Swedish exchange student
Emil Fredriksson should help offset the loss of Geberkidane.
Defensively, East will be sound with McDonald between the pipes and central defender
Jeremy Tabor anchoring the back line. Tabor, a senior, is a gritty leader whose presence fuels the Angels. The only two games the club lost last year occurred when Tabor was on the sideline.
"McDonald was hurt at the beginning of last year, but when he stepped in there he really did an amazing job," Hinz said. "We feel fortunate with (Kwame) and Fredriksson that we'll be able to pick up where we left off."
