Colorado Rapids Women | Division & Conference Champions, Regional Champions, & WPSL Finalists

Contributors:

Sebastian Giraldo - Regional Technical Director / Interim Girls ECNL Director - Elite

Ben Martisius - Director of Marketing and Communications

This summer, the Colorado Rapids Women concluded their best post-season run in program history! From May to July, the team competed in local, regional, and national competitions, ultimately, becoming Rockies Division and Mountain Conference Champions for the second year in a row, winning the Central Region Championship, and progressing through the #WPSLChampionship to finish as National Finalists! The Rapids Women team’s extraordinary playoff run ended in a 3-1 defeat in the final game to the California Storm.

“It was a historic season that has set the standard for our WPSL program. The success is a testament to the work being done in our Girls ECNL program, coach education, and every day on the field. The athletes are amazing people on and off the field and the reason we are bringing home multiple championships.” – Coach Sebastian Giraldo

We are so proud of the team’s accomplishments this summer and invite you to check out the content below, where we celebrate the season with recaps, comments from coaches, pics, and more!

2022 WPSL Regular Season Results

Goal Scorers: None

Goal Scorers: Abby Gearhart

Goal Scorers: Kelley Francis

Goal Scorers: Alyssa Glover (2)

Goal Scorers: Kelley Francis

May 22, 2022 vs. Indios (0-0): Goal Scorers: None
May 28, 2022 vs. Colorado Rush (1-2 L): Goal Scorers: Abby Gearhart
June 18, 2022 vs. Indios (1-1): Goal Scorers: Kelley Francis
June 2, 2022 vs. Colorado Rush (2-0 W): Goal Scorers: Alyssa Glover (2)
June 5, 2022 vs. Colorado Pride (1-0 W): Goal Scorers: Kelley Francis

June 10, 2022 vs. BC United (5-0 W)
June 11, 2022 vs. Broomfield Burn (5-0 W)
June 19, 2022 vs. BC United (2-0 W)
June 26, 2022 vs. Colorado Pride (3-0 W)
June 30, 2022 vs. Broomfield Burn (4-0 W)

Goal Scorers: Lexi Meyer (2), Sami Feller, Heather Gilchrist, Kelby Kuo

Goal Scorers: Lydia Totten, Kelby Kuo, Frances Reuland, Addie Whitehouse, Abby Gearhart

Goal Scorers: Claire Silverman (2)

Goal Scorers: Alesia Garcia (2), Alyssa Glover

Goal Scorers: Alesia Garcia (2) Kelley Francis, Ella Moody

June 10, 2022 vs. BC United (5-0 W): Goal Scorers: Lexi Meyer (2), Sami Feller, Heather Gilchrist, Kelby Kuo
June 11, 2022 vs. Broomfield Burn (5-0 W): Goal Scorers: Lydia Totten, Kelby Kuo, Frances Reuland, Addie Whitehouse, Abby Gearhart
June 19, 2022 vs. BC United (2-0 W): Goal Scorers: Claire Silverman (2)
June 26, 2022 vs. Colorado Pride (3-0 W): Goal Scorers: Alesia Garcia (2), Alyssa Glover
June 30, 2022 vs. Broomfield Burn (4-0 W): Goal Scorers: Alesia Garcia (2) Kelley Francis, Ella Moody

SEASON OPENER PHOTOS

FINAL HOME GAME PHOTOS

WPSL CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTOS

Mountain Conference Title Game vs. Utah Avalanche | Salt Lake City, UT | July 9

After leading the state in the division standings, The Rapids Women advanced to the Mountain Conference Title Game! Matched up against the Utah Avalanche, the Rapids Women traveled to enemy territory in which they displayed dominance in a 5-1 victory against the home team in Salt Lake City. In securing the win, the Rapids Women advanced to the Central Region Playoffs at Regis University in Denver, CO.

*Click Tabs to View Goal Scorers!

July 9 vs. Utah Avalanche (5-1 W)

Goal Scorers: Marianna Annest (3), Alesia Garcia, Alyssa Glover

July 9 vs. Utah Avalanche (5-1 W): Goal Scorers: Marianna Annest (3), Alesia Garcia, Alyssa Glover

WPSL Central Region Playoffs | Denver, CO | July 16-17

July 16 – Entering the WPSL Central Regional Playoffs with a conference title win, the Rapids Women’s first matchup was against Salvo FC, a Minnesota-based club. Salvo FC was a dominant force in regular season action, going undefeated in their conference and joining the playoffs with momentum behind them. Despite Salvo FC’s intimidating defensive record, the Rapids Women scored the only goal of the game in the first half, defeating Salvo FC and advancing to the Central Region Championship. Check out the winning goal!

July 17 – In the Central Region championship game, the Rapids Women matched up against a powerful Kansas City Current II team. Like Salvo FC, the Kansas City Current II also went undefeated in regular season play, often beating opponents in their conference by 4+ goals. The Rapids Women, undeterred by the Kansas City Current II’s strength in front of goal, went up early in the final and earned a hard-fought 3-2 victory!

*Click Tabs to View Goal Scorers!

July 16 vs. Salvo FC (1-0 W)
July 17 vs. Kansas City Current II (3-2 W)

Goal Scorers: Adeleine Walick

Goal Scorers: Sami Feller, Claire Silverman, Alyssa Glover

July 16 vs. Salvo FC (1-0 W): Goal Scorers: Adeleine Walick
July 17 vs. Kansas City Current II (3-2 W): Goal Scorers: Sami Feller, Claire Silverman, Alyssa Glover

WPSL National Championship | Stillwater, OK | July 22-24

After the WPSL Central Region Playoffs, the Rapids Women were officially recognized as a Top 4 team in the nation! The National Championship games were played at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK.

July 22, 2022 – The Rapids Women arrived in Stillwater, OK for their first-round matchup of the WPSL Championships against SJEB FC, a New Jersey-based club. The Rapids Women spent the day relaxing, getting accustomed to the facilities, and visiting the Oklahoma State University art museum. The other national semifinal between the California Storm and Nashville Rhythm preceded the Rapids Women game, which was scheduled to kick off at 7:30PM right after the first semifinal ended. The Oklahoma weather had different plans and after a 3 hour long rain and thunderstorm delay, the Rapids Women finally took the field around 10 PM. Rain or shine, early or late, the Rapids Women were ready and defeated SJEB FC around midnight with a final score of 2-0.
July 24, 2022 – In the National Championship game, the Rapids Women played the 4x WPSL Champions, California Storm. The California Storm were aggressive, scoring a goal in the first 15 minutes of the game. Before the half, Shiloh Miller of the Rapids Women scored an equalizing goal, only to be answered by another Storm goal just minutes later. The Rapids Women left everything out on the field, but in the end, the California Storm won with a final score of 3-1.

*Click Tabs to View Goal Scorers!

July 22 vs. SJEB FC (2-0 W)
July 24 vs. California Storm (1-3L)

Goal Scorers: Marianna Annest, Shiloh Miller

Goal Scorers: Shiloh Miller

July 22 vs. SJEB FC (2-0 W): Goal Scorers: Marianna Annest, Shiloh Miller
July 24 vs. California Storm (1-3L): Goal Scorers: Shiloh Miller

Coach Sebastian Giraldo’s thoughts on the National Championship: “I think clearly it was the best two teams in the country. Unfortunately, it was a heartbreaking loss but I have nothing but admiration and respect for my team. Our style of play was on full display. We want to play the game with excitement and joy and inspire youth athletes in the Rapids organization.”

The Colorado Rapids Women WPSL team is owned and operated by Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club. Click here to visit the Rapids Women webpage and learn more about the team. The best way to keep up with everything Rapids Women is by following the team on Instagram and Twitter!

Contributors:

Sebastian Giraldo

Regional Technical Director / Interim Girls ECNL Director - Elite

[email protected]719.301.0742

Sebastian is originally from Pamplona, Colombia and has spent time with soccer clubs in Michigan, Texas, and Tennessee. He holds a Ph.D. in Elite Athlete Development from the University of Texas-Austin and a US Soccer A License. He also works with US Soccer Coach Education and is involved with several research initiatives examining elite youth soccer athletes and coach education.

Sebastian comes to Rapids Youth Soccer from US Soccer where he operated as a Coach Education Instructor on USSF Licenses and Grassroots Courses across the country. Additionally, he brings a wealth of experience from club-level, where he has held multiple positions in education and coaching methodology at San Antonio City SC and South Texas FC. Sebastian’s high-quality coaching background includes time spent in the ECNL, GA, ODP, and as Head Coach of USL League Two club Corpus Christi FC. At CRYSC, he will be using his experience and understanding of the youth soccer landscape to enhance and support the development of Central staff, coaches, and players.

Ben Martisius

Director of Marketing and Communications

[email protected]719.394.8561

Ben Martisius grew up in Monroe, Louisiana where he played soccer through high school, and attended Louisiana State University to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications. Prior to graduating, he completed a minor in German during a year abroad in Innsbruck, Austria at the Universität Innsbruck. In 2014, Ben moved to Denver, Colorado to attend graduate school at the University of Denver and earn his Master's degree in Strategic Communications. While in school, he took a communications role with the university's alumni advancement team, and has since worked for a local gym as a Marketing Specialist, and multiple clients as the Digital Marketing Specialist for Domoto Brands, LLC. In 2018, he was hired by Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club as the Communications Manager and found a perfect role for merging his passion for Marketing and Communications with soccer. After two years of overseeing communications at the Club, he was promoted to the Director of Marketing and Communications. In his personal life, Ben likes to go snowboarding, enjoy the outdoors during the summer, play guitar, bass guitar, or piano, watch or play soccer, and spend time with friends and family. He's also passionate about travel and wants to see as much of the world and experience as many cultures as possible.