Colorado Rapids Women: Division & Conference Champs, Regional Champs, & WPSL Finalists
Posted by: Will Juniper, CRYSC 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
*Click Tabs to View Goal Scorers!
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)
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Goal Scorers: None
- May 28, 2022 vs. Colorado Rush (1-2 L)
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Goal Scorers: Abby Gearhart
- June 18, 2022 vs. Indios (1-1)
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Goal Scorers: Kelley Francis
- June 2, 2022 vs. Colorado Rush (2-0 W)
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Goal Scorers: Alyssa Glover (2)
- June 5, 2022 vs. Colorado Pride (1-0 W)
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Goal Scorers: Kelley Francis
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)
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Goal Scorers: Lexi Meyer (2), Sami Feller, Heather Gilchrist, Kelby Kuo
- June 11, 2022 vs. Broomfield Burn (5-0 W)
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Goal Scorers: Lydia Totten, Kelby Kuo, Frances Reuland, Addie Whitehouse, Abby Gearhart
- June 19, 2022 vs. BC United (2-0 W)
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Goal Scorers: Claire Silverman (2)
- June 26, 2022 vs. Colorado Pride (3-0 W)
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Goal Scorers: Alesia Garcia (2), Alyssa Glover
- June 30, 2022 vs. Broomfield Burn (4-0 W)
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Goal Scorers: Alesia Garcia (2) Kelley Francis, Ella Moody
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!
Goal Scorers: Marianna Annest (3), Alesia Garcia, Alyssa Glover
- July 9 vs. Utah Avalanche (5-1 W)
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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!
Goal Scorers: Adeleine Walick
Goal Scorers: Sami Feller, Claire Silverman, Alyssa Glover
- July 16 vs. Salvo FC (1-0 W)
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Goal Scorers: Adeleine Walick
- July 17 vs. Kansas City Current II (3-2 W)
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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!
Goal Scorers: Marianna Annest, Shiloh Miller
Goal Scorers: Shiloh Miller
- July 22 vs. SJEB FC (2-0 W)
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Goal Scorers: Marianna Annest, Shiloh Miller
- July 24 vs. California Storm (1-3L)
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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!
