Denver East’s strong start has team on fast track in Colorado field hockey

A year ago, the Denver East field hockey team had all the makings of a program ready to take the next step.
Unfortunately for the Angels, that step seemed to elude them throughout 2015. East played the state's top programs as tough as anyone, but that clutch score never seemed to materialize and the Angels finished with only five victories.

So, for a program that only scored 21 goals in 15 games last fall, the start of the 2016 season couldn't be scripted much better. Fourth-ranked Denver East has already matched last year's win total with a 5-0 start, and the team has scored 20 goals over that span.

With the toughest portion of the schedule yet to come, the fast start has provided a boost of confidence.

"Last year we really struggled to find the back of the net in terms of scoring, so we sat down as a team and really set out some goals of what the team wanted to look like this year," Angels coach Katie Morris said. "The returning varsity kids really took that seriously."

Morris said the players came into the season having taken the initiative to train on their own and were already fairly conditioned coming into August. What followed were three consecutive 5-0 victories to open the season (East didn't score five goals in a single game in 2015), and the Angels posted hard-fought victories over Golden and Regis Jesuit (Aurora) in the past week.

"I think that game was pretty evenly matched. Regis is always a great opponent," Morris said of a 2-1 victory over the Raiders on Sept. 10. "For us, our goal is to play 60 minutes of hockey, and that game we really put it together and the girls never quit."

Seniors Kate Burney and Thyra Herrmann scored against the Raiders. Eight players have found the net this season, led by junior Eve Van Berkel's five goals and three assists. Herrmann has four goals to her name, and three more players have three each. In net, senior Addy Ptacek has allowed only two goals thus far.

"I think it just speaks to our versatility and our drive as a team to finish in the circle," Morris said. "It's exciting as a coaching staff because if somebody is not having their best game, there are four, five or six girls ready to step up and take that on. Commitment to improvement is a common mission this year."

East has a challenging road ahead. The team hosts third-ranked Palmer Ridge (Monument) on Tuesday, and teams like Kent Denver (Englewood), Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) and Colorado Academy (Denver) also are waiting on the schedule.

"We have one practice and then we play Palmer (Ridge)," Morris said Sunday. "They are very, very good. We're really looking forward to Tuesday to see how we do. Their girls train all year and they're a great benchmark to see how we match up.

"Our goal is to be right with those top teams in the state. We're excited to see what we learn from those opportunities."

New programs helping to grow sport
The sport received an added boost this fall with the addition of two new programs in Arapahoe (Centennial) and Liberty (Colorado Springs), bringing the total to 15 teams in the state.

Liberty notched its first victory Sept. 3 with a 4-0 triumph over Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins) behind three goals from freshman Penny Schwab.

Arapahoe has endured some early-season growing pains, but the Warriors have nine games remaining and are continuing to develop.

"It's so rewarding. I love when new teams are added," Morris said. "It's really exciting for the Mountain Time Zone to get some more teams. We're excited for growth and opportunity in the sport. I think it's a wonderful thing the league is adding more and more teams."

Statistical leaders
Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch) senior Maddie Belcher has found her scoring touch early and is leading the state in goals (seven) and points (17). Belcher scored only three goals as a junior.

Palmer Ridge's Shannon Snediker isn't far behind with five goals and four assists, and Van Berkel also owns five goals.

Six players have at least 10 points, including two each from Palmer Ridge (Snediker and Emily Munn) and Mountain Vista (Belcher and Logan Derosia.)

Mustangs gaining steam
Four-time defending champion Colorado Academy is on a tear since opening the season with a scoreless tie at Kent Denver.

The Mustangs have outscored their past three opponents by a 16-0 margin – including a 3-0 victory against Cherry Creek on Sept. 7 in a rematch of the 2015 title game – and have yet to allow a goal this season. Eight players have scored, and senior Bridget Sutter has 16 saves in the four shutouts.

Kent Denver is on a similar run though, having not given up a goal in five games behind the play of Emilie-Ann Choi in net.