Valor Christian girls drop close contest against Broomfield

Highlands Ranch school is ranked 2nd

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Broom eld struck quickly at the start of both halves on April 8 and downed Valor Christian, 2-1, in a battle between the nation’s and state’s top girls soccer teams.

“We have to be ready to play,” said Valor coach Brian Schultz. “It was di cult for us. It’s di cult as the girls aren’t used to coming from behind. at was new to us.”

Broom eld, top-ranked in the CHSAANow.com April 3 poll, improved to 6-0 this season while second-ranked Valor fell to 3-1-1 for the young season.

Coach Jim Davidson’s Broom eld team is ranked third nationally in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll while Valor of Highlands Ranch was ninth.

Broom eld controlled possession for a majority of the game but it was the two quick goals by University of Denver commit Michaela McGowan that turned out out to be the di erence.

McGowan scored just over four minutes into the game to give Broom eld an early lead. And then she rebounded a goal into the the net in the rst minute of the second half to push the visitors ahead 2-0.

Davidson said his team talked about how good they play early in the game and during the late stages of a half.

Schultz applauded the way his team kept playing despite the de cit but Valor had trouble generating many shots on goal against the stout Broom eld defense.

Jo See, Valor’s leading scorer, scored on a penalty kick with 2:15 remaining in the contest to cut into the lead but the team could never mount another threat.

Valor starts play in the 5A Je erson County League on April 11 and Schultz pointed out that it will be tough with games against teams that received votes in the CHSAA poll, such as Columbine, Arvada West, Ralston Valley and Chateld.

State football championships e 4A and 5A CHSAA state football championship games will be held at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins next season as the CHSAA announced a partnership with Colorado State University. e 3A state title game will move to Canvas Stadium in 2024-25 and all three games will be played the same day. e underbowl in Pueblo will be the site for the 2023 state title football game. Empower Field at Mile High has hosted the 5A/4A football championship contests since 2005. e contract with the Denver Broncos and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame ended at the conclusion of the 2022-23 school year.

CHSAA Commissioner Mike Krueger said it was di cult to leave Empower Field but the move to Fort Collins could be bene cial.

“I believe it is a strength when we recognize the diversity in our state and acknowledge that our kids come from all over,” he said. “Bringing this championship event to Fort Collins continues our