The 2024 Gilpin Varsity Soccer Team (All rows left to right) Back row: Tony Thorpe (Coach), Maddie Lane (Manager), Faith Ramsey, Samantha Kapke, Gretchen Osteboe, Max Tanner (Manager), Elise Vincent, Jiselle Osteboe, Adele Fisher, Annabelle Aloel, Sunny Vincent (Coach), Joe Wuchter (Coach). Middle row: Taurean Paxton (Manager), Lola Keller, Bri Rice-Deitz, Dannika Sternlicht, Joei Sutton, Maddie Khachatrian, Izzy Thorpe, Jadie DiMauro. Front row: Sterling O’Sullivan, Kenzie Marr, Katie Brennan, Avery Ramsey, Molly Brennan, Maddie Sutton, Jenny Rodriguez-Jimenez. Missing: Kailee Starkey and Jordanna Gagnon.[/caption]

In the eyes of Co-coach Sunny Vincent, the home soccer match on May 1 against Dawson was a very good game. The girls gave it their all and never let up. They started off keeping pace with the favored Mustangs, but just couldn’t get their shots to score, resulting in a 3-0 loss.

For the Eagles’ next match, the girls traveled to Union Colony in Greeley with focus, knowing they needed to get a win to stay in the running for a playoff spot. Gilpin started out strong, scoring their first goal within the first 10 minutes with a long pass from Annabelle Aloel to Jiselle Osteboe. The girls followed that up by scoring four more times in the first half. Score at halftime: Gilpin 5, Union Colony 0.

The Eagles scoring frenzy continued in the second half with four more goals. It was the second time this year the Eagles have scored nine goals in a game. In all, Kailee Starkey scored four goals, Jiselle Osteboe had three goals, and Gretchen Osteboe and Adele Fisher each added one apiece to round out the scoring for the day. Elise Vincent contributed four assists in support. The defense was solid, only surrendering one point the entire contest. Final score: Gilpin 9, Union Colony 1.

Finishing the year with a 6-6- 1 record, these girls have had an incredible season. They have persevered against the top ranked teams in the state, keeping up with each of them and showing skill, grit, determination, and good sportsmanship in the process. Their hard work has earned them the 15 seed in the regional tournament. They will play their first-round game of the tournament against Denver Christian at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10, at Denver Christian School in Lakewood.