The Fossil Ridge High School girls soccer team has certainly stamped itself in the history books of Poudre School District and Colorado high school sports, winning its second consecutive state championship this week after a dominant performance throughout the state playoffs and championship match to claim the Class 5A title.
“We started the season knowing every team was trying to take what we have, so we decided on being the hunters, not the hunted this season,” said coach Cyrus Salehi. “This win finishes a rare and amazing season of so much hard work, grit and so many fun memories! It ends with joyful tears and lifelong memories and the beautiful words of mission accomplished, back-to-back, baby!”
The SaberCats took down Mountain Vista in an overtime battle in Colorado Springs, capping off more than a week of playoff against teams from across Colorado.
The momentous season reached its pinnacle Wednesday when the team claimed the state title. Senior Reese Morgan brought the SaberCats to victory, scoring the winning goal with only six seconds left in the first overtime of the match — her second overtime-winning goal of this year’s playoffs.
As the ball hit the back of the net and the lights of the stadium strobed, the SaberCats crashed into a team hug as they celebrated their 2-1 victory and back-to-back 5A title.
“Saying I am impressed with everything the Fossil Ridge girls soccer team has accomplished the last two years would be a vast understatement; this is a tremendous achievement for a group of profoundly dedicated student-athletes,” said Superintendent Brian Kingsley. “Congratulations, SaberCats! You have earned the glory that comes with being back-to-back state champions, and we are honored you are part of the PSD community!”