H.S. Soccer: Liberty ready for 5A challenge

For a team moving from the 4A classification to 5A, Liberty is about as prepared as they come.

The Lancers, who made it to last year's 4A state semifinals, have been playing the top 5A teams for the past few years. In their first four games this season, the Lancers will face perennial 4A power Mullen, former league rival Cheyenne Mountain, and defending state champions Smoky Hill (5A) and Broomfield (4A).

"I don't think it will end up being that big of a transition for us," Liberty coach Mike Goyden said. "We've been playing Smoky Hill and Grandview and teams like that for years now, so I think we at least know what we're up against."

With nine returning starters, including senior all-state midfielder Ryan Warren and senior all-state defender Scott Kisling, the Lancers will be a tough matchup.

"We're really strong this year just in technical ability and speed," Goyden said. "We have great touch, and with players like Javier Salome and Jake Martinez, we're going to have some of the most creative attackers."

The only gap in the Lancers' armor could be at goalkeeper. With the graduation of Kevin Barthe, senior Tyler Reifschneider and junior Dillon Shook will battle for the starting job.

The Lancers will renew rivalries with league foes Air Academy and Pine Creek.

The Kadets return eight starters from last year's team that finished 7-8.

The Eagles, with sophomore goalkeeper Erich Marsheider, will depend on junior defenders Zach Davis and Chris Nelson.

"It's going to be great to have some of those leaders on defense this year," Eagles coach Ben Corley said. "It will allow us to keep our quick offense going and still shut down other teams."

After back-to-back appearances in the 4A state semifinals, Cheyenne Mountain, 17-2 last fall, will rely on five returning starters, including senior forward Scott Kocel.

"Last year we were kind of a team with a couple of superstars, and we don't have those guys this year," Indians coach Scott Johnson said. "But I think that's making us play better as a unit, and we're seeing guys develop into roles that we need really nicely."

Lewis-Palmer also should contend.

"We have a lot of speed and technical skill this year, especially at midfield," Rangers coach Kurt Clark said. "We're really going to be looking to them to get our attack going and help us be solid on defense."

Juniors Colton Briscoe and Kevin Lewis will be joined by senior Trevor Beatty in the midfield.

In 3A, Fountain Valley will look to reach the state title game again.

Senior all-league midfielder Lukas Langer, along with midfielder Sean Lee and attacker John McCaffery, will lead a team with lots of new talent.

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BOYS SOCCER TEAM CAPSULES

Class 5A

Air Academy: Seniors Joe Burchfield and Landon Brunk return to anchor the defense as the Kadets look to improve on last year's 7-8 record. Scott Waller and Luke Byington round out the midfield.

Coronado: Senior captains Danny Tuxhorn and Brice Holiday lead a Cougars team that also returns midfielders Kyle Yeh and Christian Drevs.

Doherty: The Spartans will rely on 11 returning seniors to improve on last year's 4-7-1 record. Midfielder John Anderson will create offensive opportunities while Zach Stinchfield will lead a defense that will be anchored by senior goalkeeper Trevor Simpson.

Fountain-Fort Carson: Senior midfielders Bruce Jones, Hayden Hough and Chris Alderman return along with senior defenders Jeff Moore and Erik Arnol-Martin for new coach Dwayne Freeman.

Liberty: A cast of six seniors, including Andrew Nemechek and Martin Aguilar, returns to keep the Lancers in contention for the league title. Kory Spencer will generate offense in the midfield, while freshman striker Jake Martinez and senior Javier Salome are good finishers.

Palmer: The Terrors will look to rebuild this season under new coach Rick Sundahl. Seniors JT Brlansky, Max Fleck, Isaac Herold, Max Mahan and Jonathan Prinz are back.

Pine Creek: Sophomore goalkeeper Erich Marsheider returns while junior co-captain Zach Davis will direct the defense. Chris Nelson will lead the midfield. Senior Mario Garcia and junior Zach Wiese are good finishers.

Rampart: Goalkeeper Kyle Simons and Trevor Luciano lead a group of eight seniors for new coach Jay Sevier.

Sand Creek: Seven starters return including strikers Kevin Knowles and Nolan Goivar. Returning senior goalkeeper Caleb Hendrich will depend on senior Corey Hastings and junior Evan Seeley to anchor the defense.

Class 4A

Cañon City: Manny Crespin is back to lead the Tigers under veteran coach Pat Callahan.

Cheyenne Mountain: Midfielders Tom O'Dea and Ben Glass will help lead an Indians squad that hopes to make the state semifinals for the third straight year. Senior Sam Vinson and sophomore JJ Parker will lead the defense.

Harrison-Sierra: Steven Gonzales and Omar Aguilar will lead an inexperienced team that will look for maturity from freshman goalkeeper Miguel Reyes. Junior Jose Marvaez will also contribute.

Lewis-Palmer: Juniors Colton Briscoe and Kevin Lewis lead the midfield as the Rangers look to junior goalkeeper Zack Ripple to step into a starting spot. Seniors Randy Vieira and Trevor Beatty add depth on the attack.

Mesa Ridge: Senior Shea Bogardus will organize the Grizzly offense from the midfield while twin Sean returns at goalkeeper.
Senior defender Josh Osgard will provide leadership as Mesa Ridge looks to develop talented freshmen such as Joey Penner.

Mitchell: Second-year coach Tom Mourning will rely on a strong sophomore class and seven returning starters, including Jacob Reasland and Jesse Leaming, to replace graduated standout Eduar Rodriguez. Another 17 freshmen and class add to the program's depth.

Palmer Ridge: Captains Nick Obermeyer and Jake MacLean anchor the midfield while goalkeeper Alex Rother and sweeper Jonas Escobedo anchor the defense. Ethan Marks and Kolby Pedrie lead the offense. The new program is not eligible for the postseason.

Vista Ridge: The Wolves are not eligible for the postseason.

Wasson: Senior goalkeeper John Gribble is joined by Mario Aragon and Omar Andrade.

Widefield: Senior goalkeeper Weston Allenback and all-league defender Adam Dunn will lead the Gladiators' 11 returning lettermen. Seniors Aaron Burns and Matt Dellacroce will provide offensive help from the midfield.

Woodland Park: Senior midfielder John Dixon returns, along with former junior varsity goalie Dan Hutchcraft. Juniors Kevin Bernstetter and Ian Forpes-Harlan will also contribute.

Class 3A

The Classical Academy: Senior midfielder James Hsueh will be joined by seniors Garrett Holmes and Trevor Young as the Titans rely on a strong defensive core.

Colorado Springs Christian School: The Lions will depend on three seniors - Jonathan Taves, Travis Reddick and Garrett Blair - to lead the front line and another two to direct the defense. Russell Pompea will be back in goal, and Grant Terzian will provide defensive leadership.

Colorado Springs School: Seniors Jared Johnson and Ben Seaton will lead a defense that will also include returning senior goalkeeper Ethan Gilbert. Midfielders Peter Tynan and Delovelle Earls will help organize a midfield that will rely on several new members.

Discovery Canyon: The Thunder open varsity play after a year of junior varsity play. The program is not eligible for postseason play.

Evangelical Christian Academy: Senior returnees include Josh Mann and Matt Moseley.

Fountain Valley: Senior all-league midfielder Lukas Langer returns while junior forward John McCaffery and senior midfielder Sean Lee also will contribute.

James Irwin: Senior goalkeeper Matt Gomez and senior sweeper Nick Jarrell are back with a solid group of juniors.

Manitou Springs: A senior-laden team returns with David Clothier, Malcolm Vrecenar, Jordan Barnett, Thomas Solomon, Terry Lee and exchange student Henry Sun.

St. Mary's: Seniors Dylan Tyborski and Kevin Wilkerson return in the midfield. Seniors Nick Lucca and Travis Kurata are joined by juniors Jack Gendron and Will Sharkey.