COMMERCE CITY — Grandview finally prevailed in a girls soccer state championship on Wednesday, defeating Broomfield 2-0 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Grandview’s Mandi Duggan sealed the team’s victory over No. 4 Broomfield (17-1-1) with an insurance goal with 18 seconds left in regulation. It’s the team’s first year competing in 5A.
“I was kind of shocked it went in,” Duggan said. “That second shot really made it real that we won.”
No. 2 Grandview (17-1-1) won its second state title, adding to the one in 2008.
PHOTOS: Grandview defeats Broomfield in 5A girls soccer title game
Jessica Hixson, a sophomore defender, scored first for Grandview, giving the Wolves a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute. But it was Duggans’ goal with seconds left that stunned people.
“At the beginning of the season, Mandi looked at me and said, ‘I can deliver, but I can’t score.'” Grandview girls soccer coach Tari Wood said. “And she has scored a bundle of really important goals for us.”
Broomfield played tough against Grandview, but the Wolves, known for defense, protected the goal aggressively.
Broomfield’s outside midfielders didn’t help nearly as much as they should have when playing against a team of Grandview’s caliber. The Wolves had speed at every position and a talented goalkeeper. The Eagles were tough, but outmatched.
Senior goalkeeper Maddie Lesjak allowed only five goals all season. In its 12-game winning streak, Lesjak allowed one goal — from Colorado Academy’s Marin McCoy, who scored the only goal in the Mustangs’ 3A championship victory over Jefferson Academy.
“She’s been the heart and soul of this team for the entire season,” Wood said.
Lesjak cracked the top ten for goals allowed in all classifications, but she’s played the most number of minutes out of that list — by a lot.
“It’s all thanks to my defense,” Lesjak said. “That back line is something else. And they’re so young, which is so exciting.”
Morgan Dzakowic: 303-954-1275, mdzakowic@denverpost.com or twitter.com/morgandzak
