With the graduation of eight varsity players from the 2007 roster, there were a lot of uncertainties for the Hawks coming into the 2008 season, all of which pointed to one looming question: "Could the team be a factor in the always demanding Front Range Conference"?  After all, with essentially the same core of players the previous two seasons, Horizon had inched closer and closer to a playoff berth, but each year came up just short of that goal.  From the beginning, the coaching staff was confident in the calibre of players filling the vacant half of the 2007 roster.  Coach Stansbury: "After tryouts and the first couple of practices, we knew we had the players to be successful, both in terms of talent level and character.  Our concerns rested in the areas of intangibles - how long would it take for the girls to come together and play as a unit, how would we respond in big games given the relative inexperience at the varsity level, would the players be able to recognize their own talent and potential?"  From the outside looking in, it looked as if those questions weren't being answered with the first several contests.  A last minute goal allowed against Golden (4A Final Four team) because of a tough mental error, a defeat at the hands of Chatfield (finished with top 10 ranking) on an apparent handball at the top of the 18, a loss to Lewis Palmer (finished with top ten ranking) in double overtime with 90 seconds remaining, and a 2-1 road setback against Fairview (finished with top ten ranking) on an unfortunate mistake on an otherwise routine play all contributing to a sense of doubt.  All the while, however, an internal fortitude was being developed.  That inner strength began to shine through just in time for the conference schedule as a depleted Horizon squad tied a tough Poudre team.  A second tie versus conference and district rival Legacy was followed by a last minute victory over the Monarch Coyotes.  That victory began a run of 7 unbeaten out of 8 matches, with the only loss coming from a 0-1 contest against 5A final four team and conference champion Rocky Mountain (as a side note, at the post season conference coaches' meeting, the Rocky coach said it was the only game all season that they felt like they escaped with a win).  As the final games of the regular season played out, the uncertainties from the beginning of the season that culminated into the ultimate question of whether or not Horizon could be a factor in the Front Range League were answered definitively.  The Hawks finished third in the conference standings and had earned their first playoff birth in over five years.  And if that weren't enough, Horizon would end their season in the round of 16 against perenial powerhouse Arapahoe after a 3-2 overtime thriller over #13 seed Denver East in the first round.  The season would also produce (see below for details) an Honorable Mention All-State selection, two First Team All-Conference selections, two Second Team All-Conference Selections, three Honorable Mention All-Conference Selections, and a North Metro Coach of the Year nod for head coach Cheryl Olson.  "The process this season was as long as any we've had, but these girls worked so hard through it all.  I'm so proud of the way they played, the way they prepared, and the way they persevered.  We could have folded after those first games, telling ourselves that we just couldn't get over that hump.  But that isn't who this team is.  They're a group that works, that fights, and that overcomes.  They should be very proud of their accomplishments because of how they earned them," said Coach Olson.

The players:

Delcamp Awarded 2007/08 Horizon Most Outstanding Female Scholar Athlete (5/15/08)

Senior Captain Jacque Delcamp was named the 2007/08 Horizon High School Female Senior Scholar Athlete.  A few of her athletic qualifications include Honorable Mention All-Conference, 2nd team All-Conference, 1st team All-Conference, three time varsity captain, and four year varsity starter.  On the academic side, she sports a 3.95 overall GPA with a courseload that ranks among the most rigorous in the 2008 graduating class.  Congratulations Jacque - we're proud of you!

2008 Captains Announced (3/5/08)

Captains for this year's squad will be Jacque Delcamp, JoEllen Keyser, and Sarah Winkler.  Jacque and JoEllen, both seniors, were also captains last season and look to continue their positive leadership into the 2008 campaign.  Jacque serves as a center midfielder and will use her exceptional field vision to create scoring opportunities for the team.  JoEllen will again anchor a solid defensive unit utilizing her on-field communication skills to control pace and play.  Junior Sarah Winkler, a starter since her freshman year, is a first time captain and will bring her competative fire and aggressive style to the forefront in her new role as a center midfielder.  With this kind of leadership, it looks to be a positive year for the Hawks!

2007 Captains Decide on Colleges (2/28/08)

Captains Jacque Delcamp and JoEllen Keyser are both moving on to play collegiate soccer next year.  Keyser, an All-Conference defensewoman, will be attending Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas while Delcamp, a captain since her sophomore year will be heading off to Aurora University just outside of Chicago, Illinois.  JoEllen decided on BC, because of its atmosphere and because they offered her a yearly $10,000 scholarship to play soccer.  She will join a Ravens squad that finished the 2007 season with a 15-3-3 record.  Jacque recently made her choice because Aurora was the "best overall fit," matching her academic aspirations, small school atmosphere, "something different" from home, and a competitive soccer program - the Spartans have won 9 NIIC Championships over the last 12 years.  Jacque also received the Board of Trustees Scholarship for $10,000 per year.  Congratulations Ladies!

Alexa Kothlow a Boettcher Semi-Finalist (11/28/07)

Senior defender Alexa Kothlow was chosen as a 2007 Boettcher Scholarship Semi-Finalist.  This is the most prestigious scholarship available to students in the state of Colorado.  In order to just qualify a student must be in the top 5% of their class and earn at least a 27 on their ACT.  To become a semi-finalist, a student must then put their application against all other qualifying students based on the above criteria.  Alexa did so, and is now one of 200 semi-finalists out of an original pool of over 1000 of Colorado's top students.  Congratulations Alexa - we're pulling for you as the process moves forward!!!