Photo by Ed Gloor

On Wednesday, May 11^th, the TJ Girls’ Soccer Team had their first playoff game against the number one seed in 4A Soccer, Broomfield High School, putting up an amazing fight in the second half, however losing 10-0 in the end.

The girls found themselves playing in bad weather, running against harsh winds and cold rain.  The frigid weather seemed to affect the girls’ focus in the first half, as their game simply wasn’t there and Broomfield was able to get ahead by a whopping seven goals.  “Our heads just weren’t in it.  I think we let our rank and Broomfield’s rank get to our heads, and that affected how we played,” said Junior Defender and Striker Belen Gomez.

However, after an inspiring half time speech by Coaches Jon Poole and Sara Andolsek, there was a major turn around in the girls’ play.  The Spartans came into the second half with much more intensity, hardly allowing the highly ranked Broomfield team any chances for offensive play.

Unfortunately, with Broomfield’s seven-goal lead, it was too late for the Lady Spartans.  Broomfield managed to score two more goals within the second half, one of which was minutes before the match was supposed to end.  “If you were to judge the game by only the second half, we definitely held our own.  The team helped motivate each other to fight despite our seed and the weather.  I’m proud of my team regardless of the score,” said Senior Captain and Defender Lauren Jorgensen.

“Although we have been knocked out of the playoffs, our season was a successful one,” said Junior Defender and Striker Belen Gomez.

TJ Soccer scores a goal. Photo by Mia Nogueira

On Monday, May 2^nd, the girls’ soccer team took on North High School, shutting them down with a final score of 8-0.

The girls dominated over North from the start, possessing the ball and containing it in their half for the majority of the game.  Within the first half, the girls scored a total of seven goals.  Sophomore Braelah McGinnis had four goals, Junior Belen Gomez had two, and Junior Abby Montgomery had one.

In the second half, the girls decided to focus more on passing and playing better soccer, rather than just scoring.  The girls kept the ball on the North side of the field the entire half, rarely allowing North a chance for any offensive play.  Senior Rachael Newman scored the last goal off of a free kick, ending the game with a score 8-0.

“It felt great to win by so many goals.  Hopefully we’ll be able to finish out the season with the same type of intensity that we had in this game!” said Belen Gomez.

With all the excitement from this win, the girls are sure to go in strong against South High School, this Friday May 5th at 4:00 p.m. at South.

Date:

Time:

Location:

Opponent:

Result: Thursday
3/10 4:00PM Littleton Public
Stadium @Littleton L 3-0 Friday
3/11 4:00PM Home vs. Arvada West L 10 -0 Tuesday
3/15 4:00PM Home vs. Elizabeth W 2-1 Thursday
3/17 4:30PM Away @ Rangeview L 9-1 Thursday
3/24 4:00PM Home vs. Lincoln W 3-1 Friday
3/25 4:00PM Home vs. Standley Lake L 6-0 Monday
4/4 4:00PM Home vs. G. Washington W 1-0 Thursday
4/7 5:30PM Away @ Denver East L 7-0 Monday
4/11 4:00PM Home vs. Englewood L 3-2 Thursday
4/14 4:00PM Home vs. Bear Creek L 7-0 Friday
4/15 4:00PM Away @ Kennedy W 2-0 Monday
4/18 4:00PM Home vs. Montbello W 8-0 Friday
4/29 5:30PM All City Stadium vs. Denver West L 2-1 Monday
5/2 4:00PM Away @ Denver North W 8-0 Friday
5/6 4:00PM Away @ Denver South

TJ Soccer scores a goal. Photo by Mia Nogueira

On Monday, April 18^th, the Girls’ Soccer team played at TJ against Montbello High School, dominating the Warriors and defeating them 8-0.

The match began with the girls making strong plays and working their way up the field.  But the contest quickly became onesided, as the Spartans easily dominated over the Montbello Warriors.  Just within the first half the girls had six goals over the Warriors.  Sophomore Braelah McGinnis had three goals, Senior Anna Becker had one, and Seniors Lauren Jorgensen and Casey Edelman each had two.

The second half continued with more shots in the back of the net for the Spartans.  “The team really needed this win, especially with such a good scoreboard.  Hopefully this game can be a catalyst for the team to continue to dominate for the rest of the season,” said Becker, who is a midfielder for the Spartans.

The next game will take place on April 29^th against Denver West at All City Stadium at 5:30 p.m.  The girls are sure to do well with all the momentum from the win against Montbello, so be sure to go support your Lady Spartans!

TJ Soccer scores a goal. Photo by Mia Nogueira

On Thursday, April 14^th, the Lady Spartan Soccer Team took on Bear Creek High School at TJ, coming up short to Bear Creek’s skill, and losing 7-0.

The girls struggled with containing the ball and had a difficult time defending Bear Creek’s intense offense, allowing them to score five goals within the first half.  “Once again, our team came out with a lack of intensity in the first half,” said Senior Captain and Defender Lauren Jorgensen. “We always manage to come back harder in the second half.”

And the girls certainly did.  In the second half, the Lady Spartans appeared to be an entirely new team.  With a major change in the lineup, the girls managed to start gaining possession of the ball and began to overwhelm Bear Creek.  Although the girls did not score, they managed to only allow the opposing team to score two more goals, and without the team’s starting goalie, Rachael Newman.

The following day, the girls traveled to Kennedy High School, with the same lineup that was created in the previous game against Bear Creek.  The new lineup seemed to work well for the Spartans, as they came out with a win of 2-0.  Sophomore Braelah McGinnis and Senior Rachael Newman, who normally plays in goal, scored the two goals.

The girls play again tonight against Montbello right here at TJ at 4:00 p.m.  Be sure to get out there and help support the Lady Spartans.

Photo by Mia Nogueira

This week, the TJ Girls’ Soccer team had to face their two biggest rivals in DPS, George Washington and East High school, managing to come out with the victory over GW 1-0, however losing to the East Angels 7-0.

The game against George Washington took place on Monday, April 4^th, at TJ.  The first half was an even fight between both teams, with the first half ending at 0-0.  In the second half, the girls managed to up their intensity and ball handling, dominating the field and the Patriots.  The lone goal was scored by Senior Captain and Defender Lauren Jorgensen.

“It was a rough comeback from Spring Break.  It was a slow start but we put our heart into it and pulled if off,” said Head Coach Sara Andolsek.

The long awaited game against East High was the following Thursday, at East.  The Lady Spartans began the game with confidence and good passing; however, within the first fifteen minutes of the game, Senior Striker Morgan Bruzas was clipped in the ankle, taking her out of the game, and ultimately for the rest of the season.  “Losing this game was a really hard loss for the team, especially the seniors.  Having one of our players taken out so early on really brought down our momentum,” said Senior Defender Anna Becker.

The girls’ momentum was certainly lost indeed, as by halftime they were down 5-0.  In the second half, the Spartans managed to only allow two more goals in, one of them being a penalty kick.

Despite the tough loss against East, the TJ soccer girls play again this Monday, April 11^th against Englewood High School, right here at TJ at 4:00 p.m.

Photo by Mia Nogueira

On Thursday, March 24th, the Lady Spartan Soccer Players took on Lincoln High School here at TJ, having a rough start; however, in the end coming out with a 3-1 victory over the Lancers.

It was a slow start for the Lady Spartans, as there was a lack of intensity and not many plays being made.  A fluke in the defense allowed for the Lancers to score a goal in the first half.  “I think the goal that they scored definitely motivated us.  It made me mad that we were letting Lincoln beat us,” said Senior Captain Casey Edelman.  In the second half, after a motivating speech by Varsity Coach Sara Andolsek, the girls came out ready to play and began to dominate, with three goals scored by Edelman, Freshman Jasmine Braezeale, and Junior Belen Gomez.

“The girls needed to come out with way more intensity than they did,” said Andolsek.  The game ended with a final score of 3-1, with the Spartans on top.

The following day the girls had to come back to take on Standley Lake High School. Unfortunately, they could not keep up with the fast pace of Standley Lake, losing 6-0.  “It was a tough game. I think we were all tired and banged up from the game against Lincoln the day before,” said Edelman.

The girls are back in action this Thursday, April 7^th, against the East Angels at 4:15 at East.  Be sure to be there to support your Lady Spartans for the win.

Photo by Mia Nogueira

On Tuesday, March 15^th the Lady Soccer Team took on Elizabeth High School, coming out with intensity and beating them with a score of 2-1.

The girls started out on the slower side in the first half, allowing the Cardinals to score and get ahead with a score of 1-0.  “Our team tends to be a second half team. We always seem to come out harder and with more intensity in the second half than in the first,” said Senior Captain Lauren Jorgensen.

The girls did manage to pick up their game after a good talk with Head Coach Sara Andosleck during halftime.  The Lady Spartans dominated the field, with two goals both scored by Senior Captain Casey Edelman.

The girls played again the following Thursday against the highly ranked Rangeview soccer team, this time unfortunately losing with a disappointing score of 9-1.

The small Spartan soccer team had trouble keeping up with Rangeview’s skill and speed during the first half, allowing numerous goals in against them.  However, in the second half the girls managed to come out with an amazing amount of intensity, keeping the ball in Rangeview’s territory for the majority of the half.  The lone goal was scored by Senior Forward Morgan Bruzas.  “If we had played the way we did in the second half from the very beginning of the game, we would have had a chance against them [Rangeview], and might have even won,” said Edelman.

Despite the disheartening loss against Rangeview, the girls will be back and ready to play on Thursday, March 24^th right here at TJ against Lincoln High School at 4:00 p.m.

Photo by Mia Nogueira

On Tuesday, March 8^th, the Girls’ Soccer Team traveled to Littleton High School to take on the highly ranked Lions, unfortunately losing 3-0.

Being the very first game of the season, the girls started out slow and couldn’t seem to keep up with the fast pace of the Lions.  The lack of subs also resulted in the Spartans’ fatigue as the game went on.  “It was a good first game for us.  Even though we didn’t win, we managed to hold them for most of the second half.  I was proud of our small team for doing so well against such a good team like Littleton,” said Senior Captain Lauren Jorgenson.

The Lady Spartans’ team consists of Seniors Casey Edelman, Rachael Newman, Lauren Jorgenson, Anna Becker, Esther Turicos, and Morgan Bruzas, Juniors Belen Gomez, Abby Montgomery, and Mallory Lopez, Sophomores Braelah McGinnis, Rachel Uyemura, and Cleora Koepke, and Freshman Jasmine Braezeale.

Despite their loss, the girls are ready to play again today against Elizabeth High School right here at TJ.  The game begins at 4:15, so be sure to get out there and help your Lady Spartans redeem themselves.

Photo by Rebecca Holt

Emily Cordes was born on a snowy December 16th, in 1991. It is said she played soccer since birth, throwing around little toy soccer balls in the cradle. “We would always just pass the ball to each other; it was her favorite thing to do,” exclaimed TJ Alumni and older brother Wesley Cordes.

Emily began playing for her first team at the age of five for the Skyline Association until the 6th grade, and she then began to play for much more competitive teams in Westminster and Storm. Emily contemplated playing for her middle school team, the Hamilton Huskies, but decided she wanted to take her skill in another direction. “She was always very talented and stood out more than all the other kids,” are words from a very proud mom, Candy Cordes. Emily proved herself to be the leader of each one of those teams, and she knew she was more than ready to perform at a higher level.

Emily made the hard choice of which high school to attend, and with the help of her brother, chose TJ. The Spartans are very appreciative of that, as Emily showed up to tryouts and thoroughly impressed the coaches. She was named a varsity starter her freshman year, and managed to put in six goals and added an astonishing 21 assists. She has even led the team to a playoff appearance each of the last four years, but could only advance past the first round her freshman year. “Playing soccer for TJ has been one of the happiest and best experiences of my life,” said Cordes,who is one of the senior captains this season.

An even more impressive feat, Emily Cordes is coming off a devastating knee injury she incurred during the basketball season last year. Despite multiple doctors advising her and telling her she would not have the ability to play, she trained hard, and eventually made a full recovery. “She had a very bad injury… I was very surprised, and proud that she was able to come back,”  said her coach, Sarah Andolsek.

Emily attended her final playoff game as a Spartan this past Tuesday, and unfortunately she could not play due to a red card the previous game. She was right there on the sideline cheering on her teammates every minute of the game. The Spartans unfortunately faced the #6 seed in the state and came up against a tough challenge, ultimately losing 7-0.

Emily will be attending Colorado State University this fall with her 4.0 GPA. She hopes to try out, and make the club team. What is assured, though, is that no matter which team she plays for she will leave a legacy of success, dedication, and triumph.

Photo by Rebecca Holt

On a cold, rainy, early May day the Lady Spartan Soccer team traveled the hour-long road up to Silver Creek high school, in Boulder to face the #6 ranked team in the state. The team felt that the odds were against them, with the nasty weather and dark clouds and the remote territory, it made this game one of the toughest task these girls have faced. “I was cold,” said senior Rachel Laux. “But I was ready to get out there and give it my all.” Give it their all is what they did, as they came out with a defensive strategy that kept their opponents out of their zone, at least initially.

As time went by, and the conditions became worse, the girls’ fatigued began to show as they allowed unanswered goals. They kept at it and never gave up, making sure they went home with their dignity intact. After an encouraging halftime speech from Senior Captain Emily Cordes the ladies came out in the second half with their heads up high, only allowing two more goals. With a disappointing final score of 8-0, it does not portray the great year these ladies have had.  Congratulations.