Niwot girls soccer starts the season 1-1

The Niwot High School girls soccer season has officially begun, with players getting their first experience with both winning and losing this season.

The Cougars had two games the first week, the season opener against the Centaurus High School Warriors, and the second against the Palmer Ridge High School Bears. Both matchups were against skilled opponents, providing plenty of challenges for the Cougars in week one.

Niwot had an uphill battle against Centaurus but ultimately prevailed. Centaurus has had a historically good girls soccer team, ranking third in their league last year. Along with the fact the Cougars have a new coaching staff, the Cougars overcame every obstacle and won in a second overtime shootout.

Niwot dominated throughout the game partly by possessing the ball in the Warriors' territory most of the time. Freshman goalkeeper Mariah Fletemeyer saved all five shots taken on her, including a single shootout shot. Senior Tiffany Yie took Niwot's penalty shot, scoring and putting Niwot in the victory column.

Niwot's game against Palmer Ridge was a big one, as Palmer Ridge was the team that ended the Cougars' season in the state championship playoffs last year. It was almost a year ago when the fifth-ranked Bears knocked them out, and many returning players on both teams played in both games. Niwot was unable to avenge their previous season, losing 2-0 in regulation.

Niwot has come out strong this season, knocking a top team down a notch, and proving to themselves that they can compete at a high level this year.