No. 4 Kent Denver provides test of Aspen girls lacrosse
The Aspen Times
The Skiers were looking for a big test to prepare for Monday’s league championship game.
They got it, all right.
The Aspen High School girls lacrosse team welcomed Kent Denver, the No. 4-ranked team in the state, to a snowy Aspen School District Stadium on Saturday morning.
The visiting Sun Devils quickly showed that Kent Denver must have an IB program in girls lacrosse, scoring three goals in the opening 2 minutes and 15 seconds, eventually acing the nonconference test against Aspen 12-2.
Kent Denver’s Emily Munro scored two of the first three goals against Aspen and finished with a game-high four goals as the Sun Devils improved to 8-3 on the season.
All-stater Erin O’Shaughnessey scored two goals for Kent Denver as did teammates Grace Lampert and Carolyn Robbins.
O’Shaughnessey is one of the state’s leading scorers in girls lacrosse. She now has 31 goals in 11 games.
Gabrielle Kinney anchored the Kent Denver defense with a shutout in goal for the opening half.
Aspen finally broke onto the scoreboard with 9:22 to play when sophomore Caroline Moriarty scored on a penalty shot.
Jordan Fox, a senior, added Aspen’s second goal with just 40 seconds to play after a Kent Denver player was given a green card for delay of game.
“That was a great matchup for us,” Aspen head coach Jessica Owings said. “We’re so happy Kent made the trip.”
She said the Skiers knew they would face one of the top teams in the state when the Sun Devils took the field in Aspen.
“Our girls were really excited. They like facing high-quality opponents,” Owings said of the Sun Devils, who executed multiple offensive sets with a number of ambidexterous players — skilled at shooting right- or left-handed. “To see Kent execute … that helps us step up.”
She also said the Kent Denver goalie was outstanding against the Skiers.
Aspen split duties in goal when Lexi Ferlisi stepped in after an injury to teammate Livi Carr.
Ferlisi had 10 second-half saves against Kent.
“We’re so happy to have two very talented goalies,” Owings said. “I know the girls are really fired up for Monday.”
The Aspen girls lacrosse team will host Grand Junction at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Aspen School District Stadium with the championship of the Mountain League on the line.
The Skiers are 8-5 overall and 6-0 in Mountain League play.
