Girls lacrosse has grown by leaps and bounds both nationally and in Colorado, but despite the proliferation of programs, not all are created equal.
When the state playoff brackets were released Tuesday, three-time defending state champion Cherry Creek again found itself as the top seed. That should be no surprise, as the Bruins are led by reigning player of the year McKenzie Brown, who has totaled 45 goals and 30 assists this season. The Notre Dame recruit amassed 64 goals in 2008.
Cherry Creek’s only two losses came against out-of-state competition and its closest game against Colorado teams was eight goals. Expect to see the Bruins in the title game, as they have played in every championship contest since the sport was sanctioned in 1998. They have won seven times.
High-scoring and undefeated Air Academy, which has outscored its foes 256-55 this season, earned the No. 2 seed, ahead of third-seeded Kent Denver and No. 4 Denver East. Last season’s runner-up, Heritage/Littleton, begins postseason play from the fifth spot.
First-round games must be completed by May 9 at home sites, with the quarterfinals to be played by May 13. The semifinals are set for May 16 at the University of Denver, with the championship to follow at that site May 20.
The complete brackets can be found by clicking here.
First-round Schedule
In bracket order
Play-in game: Grand Junction vs. [No. 16 seed] St. Mary’s Academy. The winner will meet [1] Cherry Creek.
[9] Regis Jesuit at [8] ThunderRidge
[13] Smoky Hill at [4] Denver East
[12] Centaurus at [5] Heritage/Littleton
[14] Colorado Academy at [3] Kent Denver
[11] Mullen at [6] Arapahoe
[10] Chaparral at [7] Columbine
[15] Cheyenne Mountain at [2] Air Academy
