Niwot High School Girls Soccer Preview

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The Niwot girls soccer team got off to a fast start, but faltered in the second half of the first game, a 3-2 loss to Boulder.

“We got off to a 2-0 lead,” Coach Jeremy Drake said.  “We played so good in the first half.”  Boulder came back to score three times in the second half for the victory.

It was encouraging,” Drake said of the team’s performance against a Class 5A team.  “I saw some real good things.”

Niwot has 10 returning players from last year’s varsity squad, led by senior forward Katie Miller.  Miller is joined by returning seniors Maddie Alvarado at forward, Annick Pearson at center-back, Sophie Diller at outside back, and Katy Hedlund at midfielder. Junior goalkeeper Kim Schoep played the second half of last season with the varsity when starter Lexi Zumwalt was injured in a car accident. junior Sam Shaner will return at midfielder after missing the first few games of the season.

Three sophomores saw varsity action last year as freshmen.  Kylie Fischer returns at forward, Taylor Keffeler returns at midfielder, and Madie Dolifka returns at midfielder.

The Cougar squad was also bolstered by senior back Becky Mueller from Erie High School, which does not have a soccer program.

“We have a real strong freshman class again,” Drake said.  “Three of them made varsity and started the first game.”  Hannah Driscoll scored the first goal of the season on a free kick.  Driscoll started on defense.  Lauren FitzGibbons started at midfielder, while Maria Fayeulle started at forward.

Junior midfielder Mickey Cramer is up from last year’s JV squad, as is junior midfielder-forward Katie Balsley. Sophomore midfielder Cindy Yie also made the varsity squad.  Junior Lauren Tatusko is expected to swing between JV and varsity at midfielder.

Drake has 59 players divided among three teams.  “We should have a real solid JV team,” Drake said. Brett Buttrick returns as JV coach, while Rob Johnson, who coaches the boys team, is the C team coach. “He’s probably the most over qualified C team coach in the nation,” Drake said.

Niwot lost five starters last year, including Zumwalt, who redshirted at Mesa State while recovering from a knee injury.  Drake isn’t discouraged. “We’ll be pretty decent this year,” he said.  “All the pieces are there.  We just need to stay consistent and we can make a good run this year. I’m really looking forward to the season and the great support we get from the Niwot community.”