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.

photo by Rebecca Holt

On Tuesday and Wednesday the girls’ soccer squad had a very difficult task: beat DPL powerhouse rival East high school, and also Falcon High School back to back. This did prove to be quite a challenge, as they fell to East first by a score of 7-1 with the lone goal by Senior Lauren Kelsch. “It definitely hurts to lose to East,” exclaimed Junior Casey Edelman.

Falcon, being a powerhouse in their own division, came out with confidence, and took down the ladies by a score of 5-1. The girls were undoubtedly fatigued from East, which was a major factor in the defeat. The lone goal came from senior striker Stephanie Warren. “It feels good to score, but not to lose; we will get back on track quick,” she said

The girls’ next match-up is another DPL rival Montbello this Monday the 19th at Montbello at 4:15. Come watch to help them get back on the winning trail.

Photo by Rebecca Holt

On Friday the Lady Spartans took on a tough DPL rival in Denver North, and the home field territory certainly helped.

With a great audience cheering on the ladies they managed to put in two fantastic goals with one from junior midfielder Casey Edelman, and another one from sophomore mid fielder Belin Gomez. “ We knew we were going to win, we just had to start playing like it, and we eventually did,” stated by senior captain Lauren Kelsch.

The girls also had an important game on Saturday against another rival in  Denver West. The odds were surely against West, but they gave their best effort, and made it a close one. “This game was an eye opener. Their program has really improved and their first goal took us by surprise,” exclaimed Head Coach Sara Andolsek. “ With a huge team talk at half, determination and team work we pulled off a 3-1 victory that we really needed.”

With a two game winning streak the girls have all the momentum heading into their next match against the very talented East Angels Tuesday at TJ, at 4:15.

Photo by Rebecca Holt

The girls’ soccer team, coming off a two-game winning streak, had all the momentum they could possibly need heading into this home matchup against the competitive Rampart High School. “We knew it would be a challenge; I was hoping we could keep it close and pull out a victory,” said senior left wing Stephanie Warren. Unfortunately for the team, that did not happen, as Rampart’s mix of quickness and strength were just too much for the young defensive line of the Spartans.

The girls are looking forward to bouncing back with a win against DPL rival South High School next Tuesday at TJ at 4:15. This should be an even, entertaining match-up so make sure to come watch.

photo by Rebecca Holt

The Spartan girls showed up Saturday afternoon ready to play, and that they did, taking it to Rifle High School 5-0. With a dominating performance all around,  a solid brick wall for defense, and a quick transition offense, the home team was heavily favored. TJ’s leading scorer Morgan Bruzas led the offensive dominance, actually putting in two scores, making her season goal count, four. Other goals came from Sophomore Belen Gomez who also scored twice, and Junior Casey Edelman.

Another highlight from the match was Senior Captain Emily Cordes, who tore her ACl last year, and is playing spectacularly, even against the odds. “I come out there and I give it my all, I’m glad I can help my team win.”

The ladies are back in action on Monday against Rampart High School at home.  Make sure to come support them in their hopes of a three game winning streak.

Artwork by Rebecca Holt

The Lady Spartans began their season this year with fairly high expectations, and did not disappoint in the season opener against The Cardinals of Elizabeth High School. The Cardinals, who have struggled of late, were no match the Spartans’ strong offensive strategy and determination. Goals were scored by Junior Morgan Bruzas, Senior Stephanie Warren and a final goal was fortunately off the foot of the opposing team. The final score was 3-0.

Assistant Coach Jon Poole expressed excitement and pride, saying, “These girls have a lot of potential.  If they can put it together and gel as a team, this season will be a great one. ”Also excited about the season is Senior Stephanie Warren, who is one of the team’s strongest offensive players. “Every player on this team is skilled, and we all have a mutual goal: to win!” she said.

The girls play Columbine High School on Tuesday – which will be one of the toughest challenges of the entire season – and also Woodland Park high school at Woodland Park at 4:15 on Wednesday. Come watch either and support the girls as they venture on the quest of a winning streak.

]]> http://www.tjjournal.com/2010/03/12/girls-soocer-blasts-into-season/feed/ 0 http://www.tjjournal.com/2009/11/13/bend-it-like-these-girls/ http://www.tjjournal.com/2009/11/13/bend-it-like-these-girls/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:02:47 +0000 Anna Becker http://www.tjjournal.com/?p=7063 TJ girl soccer players kick it year-round.

Anna Becker

One team, one coach, six schools and 18 girls are brought together by their similar interests and passions. For these girls, it was their passion for soccer that was the catalyst that brought them all together and molded and created a charismatic and diverse team.

One way athletes are able to really excel at a sport is to join a club team, which are offered during the off-season of that sport, ultimately allowing the athlete to play that sport year-round. Some of the most popular club soccer teams in Colorado are Rush, Storm, Fusion and Real. Including travel fees, these teams cost between $1,500 and $5,000 per season, depending on which level of team an athlete plays on, starting with challenge two and one, classic, premiere two and one all the way up to elite three, two, and one. There are also different age groups that divide the teams.

The girls play for a U17 Colorado Clash team called the Titans. Clash is one of the newest and most affordable clubs to join, costing about $500 to play for a Clash team, not including travel fees. The clash teams are always standing out against a green field when sporting their orange and white uniforms.

TJ’s own varsity soccer player Abby Montgomery is one of five girls from TJ who is on the clash team. “It doesn’t matter what schools we come from or how different we are, we are a team, and we work hard and have fun together,” Montgomery said.

The girls opted to play soccer in the fall to prepare them for the spring season and to craft them into better players. “The point of playing for a club team is so that you can improve your skills as an individual. Our coach does a really great job on spending time working on the things that we want to improve,” said Karina Martinez, a TJ junior varsity soccer player.

TJ Junior Varsity Soccer Coach Jon Poole believes that club sports are a good opportunity for the girls to improve and build confidence; he hopes that all of them will play on the TJ Varsity team this spring. “Club is a great way to learn from each other and expand your experience for that sport. It has been proven that you must practice something for 1,000 hours before you will master it; they are on their way to mastering soccer,” Poole said.

The TJ girls’ season starts in the spring on February 22, 2010. In preparation for the season there will be conditioning during the winter held at TJ, and other opportunities will include playing for an indoor team at TJ, which plays November through February. Any questions about girls’ soccer can be answered by Jon Poole, who can be found in room 231.

The Lady Spartans ended with an 8-0 loss to Niwot in the first round of the 4A Playoffs. photo by Kevin Fleming

After going on a six game winning streak through the regular season, the red-hot Spartans were cooled down at the hands of the Niwot Cougars.

Tuesday afternoon, the girls traveled out to northeast Colorado to play Niwot in the first round of the playoffs.  Niwot (12-2-1) was the second ranked team in 4A’s Northern Region behind only 15-0-1 Broomfield.  The clash seemed to start off in favor of the Spartans, as a defensive battle continued in the second half with a score of 0-0.  Yet the suffocating Cougar offense soon hit its stride as Niwot Senior Lindsay Ostrom put three goals in the net before the half.

The offense continued for Niwot as they struck the net five more times before the Lady Spartans got a wake up call.  Halfway through the second half, the Spartans fell victim to injury as Senior Goalkeeper Mallory Knoll dislocated her finger after a hard shot found its way on net.  Senior Captain Demi Sullivan helped rally the girls as Sophomore Rachel Newman came in for the injured Knoll, who later returned.  “At that point we just started having fun, playing our own game, and they struggled to score again,” stated Sullivan of their second half performance.

“Even though we didn’t pull out the win, it was the best last game I could have played with the girls,” said Sullivan.

TJ Girls' Soccer is headed to the postseason against Niwot after an impressive regular season. photo by Kevin Fleming

Starting April 15, the girls began a tough stretch playing Falcon High School, at Falcon.  The long commute clearly didn’t phase TJ as they picked up a win on the road with a score of 2-1.  A pair of goals by Casey Edelman in the second half put TJ up as their defense took care of the rest, elevating the girls to a record of 5-3-1.

The win certainly didn’t get to the girls’ heads as the momentum catapulted them over Montbello, winning 10-0.  The shutout, recorded by Senior Goalkeeper Mallory Knoll, was her sixth shutout of the season.

Underclassmen certainly picked up the slack as Freshman Belen Gomez and Sophomore Rachel Newman each had a pair of goals.  The big scorer of the night was Emily Cordes who recorded six points, coming off one goal and five assists. “I was really happy with the way we all played, and was just happy to see that my crosses made their way through,” stated Cordes, referring to her five assists.

Only two days later, the winning continued for TJ, as they took on the second ranked team in 5A, George Washington.  Home field played to TJ’s advantage as a defensive oriented game sent the Patriots packing with a score of 1-0.  After a scoreless first half, a lone goal by Senior Robin Emerson, assisted by Morgan Bruzas, gave TJ their seventh win of the season.

The Spartans’ magic continued after a league forfeit by Palmer Ridge, after the league decided a number of questionable calls might have altered the outcome of the game.  “I think it was a fair decision.  Their goal at the end of the game certainly seemed offsides; even their own coach felt it was an unfair call,” said Emerson.

Only three days later, after the scratch at Palmer Ridge, the girls took on John F. Kennedy at All City Stadium, for the city title.  Kennedy, the defending city champs, put up a good fight but two early goals by Emerson and Sophomore Haley Philipus put the game out of reach.  With a final score of 3-1, the girls – according to DPS records – attained their first ever city title.  “I’m really excited.  We’ve been doing well all year, this was just the crown jewel on top of it all,” said Emerson.

Due to a cancellation earlier in the year, the girls played Lincoln after their city clinching victory and kept the streak alive at six.  With a score of 5-0, the seventh shutout by Knoll capped off their season with an impressive record of 9-3-1.

The first round of the playoffs sends TJ out to Niwot High School, May 5, at 4 pm.  Second ranked Niwot (12-2-1) brings a competitive edge to the table, hoping to slow down the red hot Spartans.