Centennial League

Favorite: Mullen

Contenders: Grandview, Cherry Creek

Top players: Amanda Collins, Grandview, Jr.; Danielle Foxhoven, Mullen, Jr.; Gabby Gonzales, Eaglecrest, Jr.; Kori Johnson, Smoky Hill, Sr.; Brittany Kerridge, Mullen, Jr.; Brittney MacDonald, Mullen, Sr.; Briana Sculze, Eaglecrest, Sr.; Merideth Smith, Mullen, Sr.; Megan Thomas, Smoky Hill, Sr.; Jill Walker, Smoky Hill, Sr.; Beth West, Grandview, Jr.

Outlook: This league is a strong as any in the state, with three or four squads considered as serious contenders to win it all. Mullen reached the state title game last season and features Danielle Foxhoven, one of the most dynamic offensive players in the state. Behind star juniors Beth West and Amanda Collins, Grandview has enough talent to win it all. Cherry Creek is always strong, and Smoky Hill is a program on the rise. The league’s remaining teams all are solid and could contend for top finishes in any other league in the state. There isn’t an off night in the Centennial League, and don’t be surprised if the state champion comes from here.

Colorado Springs Metro

Favorite: Air Academy

Contenders: Lewis-Palmer, Palmer

Top players: Ellen Abrams, Palmer, Sr.; Kaitlyn Berry, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.; Steph Durbin, Lewis-Palmer, Jr.; Rachel Gardner, Palmer, Sr.; Jessie Gulsvig, Coronado, Sr.; Jackie Hendrickson, Rampart, Jr.; Hayley Hollenga, Air Academy, Sr.; Alex Macy, Palmer, Sr.; Bree Marshall, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.; Amanda Reff, Rampart, Sr.; Emily Snowden, Air Academy, Sr.; Ashley Willis, Coronado, So.

Outlook: Air Academy could be the class of the league, as the Kadets bring back eight starters, including multi-talented forward Hayley Hollenga. Lewis-Palmer is looking to defend its league championship and has a solid crew returning, including Kaitlyn Berry. After a challenging preseason schedule, Palmer should be ready to battle for a top finish in league. Coronado has a strong midfield and should remain in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Continental

Favorite: Arapahoe

Contenders: Mountain Vista, Heritage

Top players: Lauren Cavarra, Arapahoe, Sr.; Megan Flannery, Arapahoe, Sr.; Maddie Glantz, Ponderosa, Sr.; Cait Hartman, Ponderosa, Sr.; Savanna Hanson, Littleton, Jr.; Alex Hooker, Heritage, Sr.; Jen Kmezich, Douglas County, Jr.; Kristin Medeiros, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; Sam Post, Heritage, Sr.; Taylor Nichols, Heritage, Jr.; Jessica Richardson, Chaparral, Sr.; Kristen Sprengle, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; Chelsea Stewart, Mountain Vista, Jr.; Masa Vajzovic, Littleton, Sr.; Bri Young, Chaparral, Jr.

Outlook: This league is stacked from top to bottom and, with only six playoff spots available, there will be some talented teams sitting out the postseason. Defending state champion Arapahoe lost some key players to graduation but still has enough talent to make another run. Lauren Cavarra has been a top player for years and could have a monster senior season. Mountain Vista has as much talent as any team in the state, and junior Chelsea Stewart could make a run at player-of-the-year honors. Heritage always seems to make the semifinals, and the Eagles have one of the state’s top players in senior Alex Hooker. Randy Hodous returns to coach the Highlands Ranch girls program, and he hopes his team can make a run for a top-four finish. Another team with an eye on a top-four finish is Ponderosa, as the Mustangs bring back eight starters.

Denver

Favorite: Denver East

Contenders: George Washington, Kennedy

Players to watch: Emily Bardwell, Denver East, Sr.; Amy Kennedy, Kennedy, Sr.

Outlook: The race for the Denver Prep crown will be competitive, with Kennedy and George Washington pushing Denver East for the title. As has been the case in the past, the real key will be whether or not a DPL team can find some success in the postseason.

Front Range

Favorite: Fort Collins

Contenders: Poudre, Rocky Mountain

Top players: Alyssa Baldi, Northglenn, Sr.; Rachel Barstow, Fort Collins, Sr.; Lauren Cathey, Rocky Mountain, Sr.; Mara Cosgrove, Legacy, So.; Steph Cynkar, Rocky Mountain, Sr.; Jacque Delcamp, Horizon, Jr.; Maggie Doe, Poudre, Sr.; Caitlin Dvorak, Monarch, Sr.; Melissa Jones, Legacy, Sr.; JoEllen Keyser, Horizon, Jr.; Krista Kruse, Poudre, Sr.; Jamie Langer, Monarch, Sr.; Heidi Mayer, Rocky Mountain, Jr.; Emmalie Psandkuch, Fort Collins, Sr.; Amanda Raley, Monarch, Sr.; Kayla Ramirez, Northglenn, Sr.; Jessie Rogers, Poudre, Sr.; Holly Timm, Northglenn, Jr.

Outlook: Fort Collins will remain one of the top teams in the league and could make a run at state. The Lambkins are solid everywhere on the pitch and will be tough to beat. Poudre has good talent, and the Impalas will be a factor. So will crosstown rival Rocky Mountain. The Lobos are rebuilding, but they have a lot of young talent. Monarch has a strong senior contingent, and the Coyotes could push for a top spot. Northglenn has a new coach and senior forward Kayla Ramirez should have the Norse in the hunt. Legacy could be a team to watch, as the Lightning have a top young player in Mara Cosgrove.

Jefferson County

Favorite: Chatfield

Contenders: Columbine, Wheat Ridge

Top players: Krista Ackerman, Arvada, Sr.; Kim Ammon, Wheat Ridge, Jr.; Lisa Bazzanella, Standley Lake, Sr.; Mona Booco, Pomona, Sr.; Aleah DeGeneres, Chatfield, Sr.; Christine Delashmutt, Columbine, Sr.; Tori Delmonico, Chatfield, Jr.; Kari Foreman, Bear Creek, Sr.; Kristy Gallegos, Arvada, Sr.; Ali Gumberg, Wheat Ridge, Jr.; Megan Hensley, Columbine, Sr.; Stacey Heronema, Arvada West, Sr.; Missy Huckaby, Bear Creek, Sr.; Alyssa Johnson, Standley Lake, So.; Brittney Lymoun, Arvada West, So.; Katie Martinez, Chatfield, Jr.; Sarah Morales, Arvada, Jr.; Shannon Ostby, Standley Lake, Sr.; Michelle Picconi, Pomona, Sr.; Sara Targoff, Pomona, Sr.

Outlook: Chatfield could make a run at the state championship, as the Chargers bring back nine starters from a team that won 15 games last season. Junior Tori Delmonico could improve on the 23 goals she notched last season, and senior Aleah DeGeneres can light up the scoreboard as well. Defending league champion Columbine has to replace a ton of starters and talent, but the Rebels will build their repeat bid around senior keeper Christine Delashmutt. Wheat Ridge finished third last year and could climb even higher this season with 10 starters back. Standley Lake just missed out on making the playoffs last season and the Gators could get over the hump this year. Arvada West has a new coach but the Wildcats hope to improve on last year’s .500 league record. Pomona has a solid group of seniors to go along with a talented group of freshmen, meaning the Panthers could climb out of Jeffco’s cellar.

Skyline

Favorite: Brighton

Contenders: Aurora Central, Hinkley

Top players: Jasmine Burt, Brighton, Jr.; Ana Jacobo, Aurora Central, Sr.; Marci Jenkins, Brighton, Sr.; Nicole Moriarty, Brighton, Jr.; Ashely Quintana, Aurora Central, Sr.

Outlook: Brighton is the defending big-school champion of this split 5A/4A league, and the Bulldogs have the tools to repeat. Junior midfielder Nicole Moriarty found the back of the net 15 times last season and she should improve on those numbers this season. High-scoring Ana Jacobo will have Aurora Central near the top, and the Trojans should push Brighton.

Southwest

Favorite: Durango

Contenders: Grand Junction Central, Fruita Monument

Top players: Kaslyn Butlers, Grand Junction Central, Jr.

Outlook: Durango has been a top team and should remain the one to beat. The Demons might get a stiff challenge from Grand Junction Central, as Central returns nine starters, including standout junior Kaslyn Butlers. Fruita Monument and Grand Junction both are looking to improve on last year’s win totals.

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