You Won’t Believe How Evergreen Girls Soccer Snatched Victory in a Nail-Biting Season Opener!

In Evergreen, Colorado, the excitement is palpable as the girls' soccer team embarks on its quest for a three-peat after clinching back-to-back Class 4A state championships in 2024 and 2025. With the majority of the team returning, expectations are soaring as they kick off the new season.

Senior captain Gianna Weiner, who will be taking her talents to the University of Kansas after her high school career, shared her perspective on the season ahead. “I think what we have done so far is already so amazing,” Weiner stated. “Whatever happens now is just even better. I do think we’ll make a good playoff run. I think we have a great team and I’m excited to see what we can do.”

In their season opener, Evergreen (1-0-2, 1-0-0 in 4A Jeffco) managed to secure their first victory against rival Green Mountain, with a narrow 1-0 win at Evergreen High School. Prior to this, they experienced two ties against Windsor and Northfield.

Coach Peter Jeans expressed mixed feelings about the match, noting that Green Mountain, despite being outplayed, put up a tough fight. “They are a very strong team and I thought they outplayed us today. We got one very good finish, very timely finish at the end of the game,” he remarked.

The decisive goal came from Weiner in the 75th minute. After a well-placed center pass from senior Cameron Wedding, Weiner executed a phenomenal finish, sending the ball over the head of Green Mountain’s freshman goalie Bethan Guenther and into the net.

“We have been working on crossing and finishing,” Weiner remarked after scoring her first goal of the season, following a remarkable 18-goal performance last year. Her impressive stats also include 20 assists, totaling 56 points during the previous season. She now holds a career total of 35 goals and 33 assists.

Coach Jeans acknowledged Weiner's exceptional talent, stating, “She has quality to her for sure. The other team really has to be aware of her.” The Cougars possess a potent offense, bolstered by returning players like Wedding, who netted 10 goals last season, and senior Nadia Leunig, who achieved 10 goals and 13 assists. Junior Izzy Clark also adds depth to the lineup with 4 goals.

Weiner remains optimistic about the team's trajectory. “I honestly think we are going to continue to get better,” she noted. “There are a lot of things for us to work on. As league goes on, we will just continue to get better.” Coach Jeans echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for improvement in passing and overall cohesion as the season progresses.

Last year, Evergreen and Green Mountain opened their league play with a 1-1 tie, which was the only blemish on Evergreen's league record. Weiner highlighted the significance of this season opener, stating, “That was something we definitely talked about before the game. Usually this game is what comes down to who wins the league. Green Mountain is a strong team in the league and I think we proved ourselves tonight.”

In addition to Weiner's standout performance, junior goalie Avery Mahnken showcased her skills with a shutout, marking her first victory of the season. Having achieved a remarkable eight consecutive shutouts last season, Mahnken finished with only 11 goals allowed throughout the entire season. Coach Jeans praised her growth, saying, “She has grown so much. She has won two state championships, but each year she comes back and is a totally different player, a much better player.”

Green Mountain, under the seasoned guidance of coach Bari Abuhadema, enters this season with a younger roster following significant graduations, including top scorer Alyssa Hamilton, who netted 31 goals last season before heading to the University of Idaho. The Rams will lean on senior striker Charlize Ellsworth and their emerging talent as they aim for continued success.

Looking ahead, Green Mountain will face Conifer on March 20, while Evergreen hosts Pomona on March 19, before the Spring Break. “We need to improve every day,” Jeans concluded. “The team that improves the most is the one that is going to win games. It isn’t necessarily the best team, but it is the team that is improving the most.”