Cherry Creek coach Ashley Thompson is taking an unfortunate series of events and turning it into an advantage. The defending state champion Bruins enter the season with four top players out because of injury, including a painful leg ailment that could sideline standout McKenzie Brown for the season.

"Rest is the only cure," Thompson said, noting Brown's lower leg issue is undiagnosed but is possibly related to a sudden growth spurt. "She's allowed 20 minutes per day of exercise, and that may or may not increase."

Sophomore Bailey Zerr and defender Becca Gleichenhaus are recovering from knee injuries and hope to return by October.

With the trainer working overtime, Thompson will take advantage of the Bruins' greatest strength - numbers. Eighty players tried out this season, and that doesn't include the middle-school program.

"It would benefit us to have two full lineups this year. We have way too much depth not to take advantage of it," Thompson said.

* The Mountain Vista Golden Eagles made a little state history last season by becoming the first team other than the Big Four - Kent Denver, Cherry Creek, Smoky Hill and Colorado Academy - to reach the state semifinals since the sport was sanctioned in 1997.

Coach Brian Nutter, who was an assistant for powerhouse Kent Denver and is married to its coach, Kathy James, said playing that deep in the postseason was much different than watching from the stands.

"That was a huge learning curve for everyone, including me - even though I coached for my wife at Kent," Nutter said. "The girls are confident going in this year. They've seen the light, if you will, and know what it takes to get to a state semifinal."

* Who will be next to break into the upper echelon of the state's field hockey elite?

St. Mary's Academy has a new coach and two of the top players in the state - Ellen and Natalie Hackstaff. Grandview is young, but excellent offseason training has the Wolves thinking big. Denver East has made strides in recent years, and the Angels are after the school's first quarterfinal playoff victory.

"We were the first team that broke into one of those top four positions, but I expect many teams to follow very quickly," Nutter said. "Ask me who is going to be in the state final and I cannot tell you. This year is going to be better than ever."

* Colorado Academy, state champion in 1997, has finished as the state runner-up four years running. But the loss of 13 top players to graduation has scaled back expectations somewhat.

"It's a rebuilding year. Our No. 1 priority is to play good hockey," Mustangs coach Rachel Sparkes said.

* Kent Denver has won seven of the past 11 state championships and never has missed the state semifinals.

It's hard to believe last season's record of 10-3 is the worst in program history. But the bar is set at the top as Kent Denver has posted a 105-8 mark during the past seven seasons.