Colorado Academy continue dominant path through Colorado girls lacrosse

During its span of four consecutive state championships, the Colorado Academy (Denver) girls lacrosse team has put together a storied run.

Over the past four-plus seasons, the Mustangs are a remarkable 74-5. Four of those losses came to out-of-state opponents, with the last one coming April 20, 2017 to Loyola Academy. The team's last in-state loss? That came four years ago Tuesday to Mullen (Denver). Colorado Academy responded by winning its next 30 games.

So, even after graduating Player of the Year Lauren Russell, who led the program with 66 goals during an undefeated 2018 campaign, it's understandable why Colorado Academy is still the team to beat this spring. Senior Sloane Murphy, who notched 57 goals as a junior, and sophomore Katharine Merrifield (48 goals as a freshman) are a potent offensive punch.

Then there is junior goalie Ella Marks, who allowed only 4.5 goals a game last season during Colorado Academy's 19-0 season that culminated with a 13-7 victory over Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) in the title game.

The Mustangs have gotten off to a 5-0 start through the first month of the season, outscoring opponents 87-17 and knocking off a pair of out-of-state challengers. Merrifield and Murphy combined to score 26 of those goals through the first four games, and three others – senior Maggie Silliman, junior Ella Greene and sophomore Kendall Smart – had eight each through March.

The team's toughest stretch of the season is about to ensue though. It starts Wednesday against No. 3 Denver East, and after a home game against Kent Denver (Cherry Hills Village), Colorado Academy visits No. 2 Regis Jesuit on April 9. Then it's on to No. 6 Chaparral (Parker) before the team hosts St. Ignatius out of San Francisco.

Colorado Academy isn't the only team off to a strong start this spring. A Regis Jesuit (Aurora) team that lost in overtime to Chaparral in the 2018 quarterfinals opened up with three consecutive victories. That included a 14-9 victory over Denver East in which sophomores Grace Weigand and Krissy Rael each went for four goals, and senior Sidney Weigand added four assists.

Starting with the Raiders, here is a quick look at where some of the state's top programs are headed into the early part of April:

* Regis Jesuit sandwiched the victory over East between routs of Dakota Ridge (Littleton) and Columbine (Littleton). The Raiders were young a year ago, graduating only a handful of seniors. … Sidney Weigand was all-state as a junior, leading the team with 45 goals and 38 assists. Cate Lord burst onto the scene as a freshman with 29 goals and 16 assists, and Antonia Batuello is back in goal for Regis Jesuit.

* Denver East started strong with three consecutive victories – including an overtime triumph over Cherry Creek – but has gone 0-3 since. That included two losses to out-of-state teams over spring break. … The team's two leading scorers from a year ago, Lucy McHugh and Josi Robinson, are off to a blazing start again. The pair has combined for 36 goals through six games, and junior Ella Squibb has 18 of her own to go with nine assists. … East reached the semis a year ago before falling to Colorado Academy.

* Cherry Creek was undefeated going into the 2018 title game, but ultimately fell to the Mustangs for the fourth year in a row. Four players finished with at least 47 goals, and while the team returned leading scorer Katie Collins, it also took a big hit with the loss of all-state midfielders Hali Sibilia (50 goals and 70 assists) and Isabel Anema (47 goals, 14 assists). … Collins and junior Amelia McCarthy have combined for 27 goals through four games, and the Bruins have received a boost from freshman Lily Assini, who has 12 goals. … Cherry Creek has appeared in every championship game since the sport became sanctioned in 1998, but hasn't won a crown since 2013.

* Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) won nine games a year ago but was bounced by Colorado Academy in the second round. The Eagles returned the core of their lineup and are still young in 2019 with only five seniors. … Junior Lexie Lee and freshman Tess Osburn lead the team with 12 goals each, and sophomore Lauren Rismani has nine goals and 11 assists in four games. … Valor is coming off a 9-8 loss to La Jolla, Calif., over spring break. The Eagles host Palmer Ridge (Monument) on Tuesday before visiting Cherry Creek on Wednesday.

* Chaparral had a program-best 15 victories last spring and reached the state semifinals. The Wolverines were hit hard by graduation, losing four of their five leading scorers. Haley Dostie is back after scoring 20 goals as a sophomore though, and the team has a good mix of upperclassmen and young incoming talent.