Colorado Academy Wins Ninth State Field Hockey Championship With 4-2 Victory Over Kent Denver

Colorado Academy secures ninth state field hockey title in rematch against Kent Denver

The Colorado Academy Mustangs finally broke a multi-year championship drought on Wednesday night, defeating rival Kent Denver 4-2 at Legacy Stadium to claim their ninth state field hockey title. The victory marks a significant turnaround for the program, which had faced agonizing setbacks in recent postseason runs. According to reports from coloradopreps.com and chsaanow.com, the win allows the Mustangs to move within one championship of the all-time Colorado state lead held by Kent Denver.

After experiencing the joy of a state title as a freshman, Freyer endured two consecutive years of semifinal losses. chsaanow.com noted that Kent Denver had acted as a consistent spoiler for Colorado Academy, securing a 3-2 semifinal win in 2024 and a 2-1 overtime victory in the previous season. The two teams met again on August 26, the opening day of this current season, where Kent Denver walked away with a 3-2 win. That August matchup proved to be the only loss the Mustangs would suffer all season, as they went on an 18-game winning streak to reach the final.

The championship game was defined by early momentum and defensive resilience. Freyer opened the scoring for the Mustangs by converting a penalty corner chance just as the opening period expired, following a pass from sophomore Emmaline Sprick. chsaanow.com reported that this marked Freyer’s 10th goal of the season. The score provided a psychological boost, representing the first time Kent Denver and goalie Aberlee Steiner had allowed a goal in the postseason.

Colorado Academy team photo after winning the 2026 field hockey state championship — Photo: chsaanow.com

A season defined by defensive execution and momentum

Colorado Academy’s offensive surge continued into the second and third quarters. Sophomore Tatum Burstein doubled the lead three minutes into the second quarter with a goal following a steal and quick transition. The Mustangs extended their advantage in the opening seconds of the third quarter when junior Sysy Robinson scored a shot that officials ruled legal, despite Steiner’s initial impression that it was not. chsaanow.com noted that this goal created a significant deficit for the Sun Devils.

Kent Denver, which entered the championship after a 4-0 semifinal victory over Cherry Creek, attempted to close the gap late in the game. Sophomore Maya Johnson converted a penalty stroke to put the Sun Devils on the board, and junior Harper Calkins added a goal on a penalty corner in the final seconds of the third period. However, freshman Lexi Freyer answered a Burstein shot with a rebound goal to maintain the Mustangs’ command. The final score of 4-2 reflected a season-long trend of disciplined execution under head coach Veronica Scott.

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Team	Season Record
Colorado Academy Mustangs	18-1
Kent Denver Sun Devils	15-3-1

Coach Scott, who has earned six state titles since joining the school in 2014, emphasized that the team’s success stemmed from their cohesion. coloradopreps.com reported that Scott viewed the squad as a “family unit” that was able to connect effectively on the field. The coach also noted that the decision to keep the squad intentionally small allowed the players to work more closely together throughout the season.

The legacy of the Mustangs and the road ahead

While the victory celebrates a peak in the program’s history, it also signals a period of transition. The Mustangs will soon lose three key seniors: Sophie Freyer, Georgia Roberts, and Edie Esposito. Despite the departure of these leaders, the program’s depth remains a focal point for the future.

The rivalry between Colorado Academy and Kent Denver remains one of the most significant fixtures in Colorado high school field hockey. With nine titles now in the Mustangs’ trophy case, the pursuit of the all-time record—currently held by the Sun Devils—will likely remain a central narrative in the years to come.