In Gilpin County’s first season of girls’ varsity soccer in 2023, they registered a 4-9 record and proved that they can compete. This year, with 10 of their 11 starters returning from that inaugural squad, they are one of the better teams in the 2A Metro Hills West League approaching the halfway point of their campaign.

Clicking on offense with 15 goals scored in their first five games, dedication and solid play on the part of Jiselle Osteboe, Elise Vincent, Avery Ramsey, Sterling O’Sullivan, Kailee Starkey, Annabelle Aloel, Adele Fisher, Faith Ramsey, Molly Brennan, Jadie DiMauro, Jennifer Rodriguez-Jimenez and the rest of the Eagles’ talented players has led to their recent success.

The home match on April 9 against Clear Creek was an opportunity to even the score, so to speak, having lost a close 1-0 game against the Golddiggers in Evergreen last year. Co-coaches Sunny Vincent, Joe Wuchter, and volunteer coach Tony Thorpe helped the girls prepare for the rivalry and would have them primed.

A new Eagles’ record: Elise Vincent rushes the net. [/caption]

Thirteen minutes into the contest, senior Sterling O’Sullivan scored the Eagles’ first goal of the afternoon. More goals would follow in bunches. Gilpin’s second score came courtesy of Clear Creek whose defender inadvertently kicked the ball into their own net while trying to fend off Eagles’ pressure.

Faith Ramsey inbounded the ball to Jennifer Rodriguez-Jimenez who promptly scored. Jiselle Osteboe was credited with an assist to Avery Ramsey who kicked in a dart left-footed. Elise Vincent assisted Jiselle Osteboe for a goal. Somewhere along the line, the Golddiggers slipped a shot past goalkeeper Jadie DiMauro who was otherwise perfect, playing the entire game recording five saves. Score at halftime: Gilpin 5, Clear Creek 1.

There were four more goals scored by the Eagles in the second half: Jiselle Osteboe assisted a goal by Kailee Starkey. Freshman and eventual Player of the Game Jennifer Rodriguez-Jiminez fired in her second shot of the contest. Faith Ramsey added two more points to cap off the scoring frenzy. Final score: Gilpin 9, Clear Creek 1.

Gretchen Osteboe joins her sister Jiselle on this year’s team.[/caption]

Midfielders Avery Ramsey, Elise Vincent, Adele Fisher, Sterling O’Sullivan, and Faith Ramsey did an outstanding job intercepting the soccer ball when the Golddiggers’ goalkeeper kicked it back in play. Once a Gilpin player established possession in any number of ways, her teammates moved to the open spaces so that she’d always have at least two people to pass to. In that manner, through quickness, nifty footwork, and teamwork, they kept the ball on Clear Creek’s end of the field for most of the game. From there, the Eagles were able to control the contest and implement pet plays such as the give-and-go. Nine points in a single game set a new Gilpin mark for scoring. The Eagles’ record is now 4-1-1.

Elise Vincent and Faith Ramsey contributed four steals apiece. Sterling O’Sullivan and Molly Brennan each had three. Annabelle Aloel and Kenzie Marr added two apiece with three other players credited with one steal each. All 17 of the Lady Eagles who were healthy saw playing time.

Sterling O’Sullivan leading a charge downfield.[/caption]

Nine goals in one game: Goalkeeper Jadie DiMauro had five saves during the contest. [/caption]

Who says soccer isn’t a contact sport?[/caption]