Feature Photo By: Samir Mohammed – Senior captain Mary Perez awaits a Raider throw in. The Raiders were defeated by the Eaglecrest Raptors 3-1 on their non-league season opener Friday March 9th.
As the sun begins to rise sooner and the spring breeze steadily swoops in, high school girls soccer is finally here. The start of the spring sports season brings goals, the heart pounding action and the intense competition many fans say they miss.
After tying their 2016-2017 season opener against Eaglecrest 1-1 in double overtime, the Raiders lost three games straight last season to two out of league teams — Ponderosa and Highlands Ranch — and a in league match against Northglen. Many fans believed the Raiders needed to create momentum and quickly. The Raiders won their first game of the season on April 6th against sister school Hinkley High School and only lost twice throughout the remainder of their season.
However, this season will be very different for Rangeview girls soccer. The lady Raiders will be without 8 seniors who graduated last may. With the dawn of a new season, comes a new story and roster for the Lady Raiders 2017-2018 soccer season.
Dawn Weber, the varsity head coach and former Rangeview soccer player, exclaimed, “Although we graduated so many seniors last season, I’m looking forward to the culture this group of girls are creating. Early on in the season I can tell they are going to be a fun group of girls to coach.”
Although the weather has been windy, cold, and inconsistent, the Raiders have been training continuously throughout the off-season in the weight room, on the turf, and in the Grind Room.
“I think we have a solid team, we just need to finish on chances and create more opportunities,” said four year varsity starter Mary Perez. “I am very excited for the season and this Friday’s game!”
The Raiders’ season opener on Friday May 9th against the Eaglecrest Raptors ended in a 3-1 defeat. Since playing the Raptors in 2012, the lady Raiders have not beaten Eaglecrest. The Raiders tied their crosstown rivals 1-1 in a double overtime match to start their 2016 season but have lost every season before that.
Though the season started off with a loss, many fans anticipate there will be a playoff berth.
“I am excited to see what the girls can achieve this season,” said junior varsity soccer player Wally Solanke. “I don’t think they get enough credit for working just as hard as us boys.”
The Raider’s lost 4-1 to Prairie View last season knocking them out of playoff qualification last season. As the Lady Raiders begin to play against talented teams, winning early in the season will be key to success and qualifying for playoffs.
With Rangeview nearly breaking even last season with a 7-5-2 record, the Raiders did not make playoffs. The Raiders have been preparing for a different postseason outcome than their playoff loss in 2016.
Their second game is at Rangeview High School today, March 13th, at 7pm. This will be the second girls soccer game under the new stadium lights on the turf.
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