LAKEWOOD – It took fewer than 30 seconds for the Bayfield Lady Wolverines to figure out how Thursday’s match would probably go. But Colorado Academy’s Lady Mustangs figured out they couldn’t overlook their opponent. They’d instead have to overwhelm … and did.
Averaging almost one shot attempt per minute and exhibiting almost zero fatigue from start to early finish, CA finally broke through in the eighth minute – via junior Celina Frenz’s rocket over Bayfield senior goalkeeper McKenna Noonan’s arms – and rarely permitted BHS to even cross the centerline en route to a 10-0 victory in the 2024 CHSAA Class 3A State Tournament’s opening Round-of-32.
“The send-off with the parents, the fire truck and everything was super exciting,” said Bayfield head coach Scott Key. “Then getting to come to such a beautiful campus and play on such a pristine field …. All in all, it was a great experience; the girls are in really good spirits.”
Bayfield senior Preslie Wagner said the team woke up after prom shocked with a text saying Bayfield made the state tournament. The team was super excited about the opportunity as Bayfield hadn’t made the state tournament since 2017.
Frenz doubled top-seeded Academy’s lead at immaculate Firman Field with an 11th-minute attempt which clanged off Noonan’s back post to her left, then paralleled the goal line for a short distance before wobbling over.
The Lady Mustangs (14-0-0 overall) increased their advantage by halftime to 6-0 – via senior Winnie Fenton’s 34th-minute penalty kick, resulting from BHS’ Mia Sager being whistled for a handball while blocking the shot of CA senior Jessica Lapidus.
Academy senior Maddy Reeves converted sophomore Jenna Westfall’s 53rd-minute cross for a Lady Mustangs goal and ultimately brought the match to a mercy-rule end.
“Not just today; we try to play a high-tempo style no matter who we’re playing against,” said Academy’s Sean Stedeford, head coach since 2008 and thus boss when Bayfield had last faced CA back in the 2012 State Tournament Sweet 16. “So it’s a lot of passes, a lot of movement to open up space.”
The Lady Wolverines (6-7-3 overall) attempted to shrink said space by keeping more players back in their formation, but the home side’s speed, field-switching ability and physical determination was simply too much to withstand.
“Yeah, it was really tough. We were playing more defensive-minded, so our forwards didn’t really get a chance to get the ball,” Wagner said. “But we tried our best; we were happy we made it … and I’m proud to be part of it. I’m going to miss (soccer) a lot, but it was a good four years.”
Bayfield senior Lilly Lewin was very happy with the progression her senior class has made. Most of the seniors started playing soccer in their freshman or sophomore years. Lewin was happy to experience state and for the seniors to have one last road trip.
Colorado Academy totaled (unofficially) 56 shots, ranging from mild to missile and put 37 on frame. Bayfield, meanwhile, did not log a true shot attempt.
“They’re really good at connecting their passes and they’re just so clean,” said Noonan, who tallied 27 saves. “They made it down the field so fast, so I had to be ready. Every single time I’d punt I had to go back and be ready; it was hard to read (the play) that fast. But it was an adrenaline rush – probably the highest I’ve had in a game – being ready for every ball, and when you do get a save it’s a lot more rewarding.”
CA advanced to face Denver Science & Tech: College View (10-1-3 overall) on Saturday, May 11, after the 16-seed Lady Wolves eliminated No. 17 Bennett (11-4-1) on Thursday by a 2-1 margin, scoring both of their goals after intermission.
