Two years ago, the Evergreen girls soccer team came tantalizingly close to being named the best 4A team in the entire state, after making it to the title game.

For the 2020 season the Cougars were ranked first in preseason polls, and were looking forward to another stellar season ... until Covid-19 canceled everything after just the first game on the schedule.

Entering the 2021 season, seniors across the state, including the eight seniors on the Cougars squad, had to be wondering if they final high school season would be stymied too.

But so far, so good, as 4A soccer teams currently are scheduled to play a 10-game season. That’s shorter than the usual 15-game season and the games now has been pushed into June. Even so, EHS Coach Peter Jeans is just happy for his players to get to play.

“We’re going to take every moment, every game as a blessing and take noting for granted,” he said.

Over at Conifer High School, the team sentiment is much the same.

“Covid has certainly added the need to be flexible with our season but we are excited to have one, given the heartbreak for our seniors last year who lost the opportunity to play out their final high school season,” Head Coach Amy Civiello said.

Three of those graduated seniors have actually come back to the program to help as assistant coaches this year, Civiello said.

That experience, and extra coaching will be good for the Lobos, as Civiello said the program is smaller this year, having no JV level.

“We have a great community in Conifer and that is reflected in the attitudes, energy and camaraderie within our soccer program,” Civiello said.

The Cougar-Lobo rivalry game took place Monday of this week (after print deadline).

While the Evergreen roster looks stacked, with the standout Rapp triplets (Catherine, Rami and Elizabeth) now juniors, as well as the large senior contingent lacing up, Jean said the level of competition in 4A keeps him feeling conservative about the team’s chances to return to the postseason.

“They’re all good,” he said. “They’re all a challenge, and this year we don’t know who anyone even is since we haven’t competed in two years.”

Evergreen will have just one home game this year, hosting Ralston Valley at 7 p.m. this Saturday, May 8.

The rest of Evergreen’s home games will take place at the North Area Athletic Complex north of Golden.

Conifer will play to the home crowd for three consecutive Wednesdays, including a May 5 game versus Standley Lake.