Amanda Carpio has been nothing but super on the soccer fields this season for Skyview. And, it certainly should go on for another two seasons as she is only a sophomore. Yet while she has been an offensive wonder, the Wolverine defense has certainly backed her up.
Skyview defeated Elizabeth, 3-1, last Thursday at Elizabeth behind Carpio’s three goals, thus running her season total to an amazing 25. But the Wolverines, 9-1, have been as devastating as a team on defense as Carpio has been on offense.
Skyview, coached by Abbie Page, has only given up four goals all season while scoring 51. The only loss was, 1-0, to unbeaten Englewood, which improved to 9-0. The Pirates, by the way, have been more devastating than Skyview on defense as the Pirates have not allowed a single goal all season.
“I think it’s been a great season,” Carpio said. “Our offense has clicked and our defense has definitely been strong. We seem to have had some slow starts offensively in some of our games, but we quickly pick up our paces.
“Everyone is playing very well under pressure,” said Carpio, who has been playing soccer since she was three-years old. “We have been able to finish well, have a strong midfield and our defense has been outstanding. We just want to keep it going and I think we can.”
Indeed, Page has been more than pleased with Carpio and the way the rest of her team has been playing this season. The Wolverines shut out their first six opponents then lost to Englewood. The only other teams to score against them were Denver North (3-2) and Elizabeth.  
“Amanda is just a great athlete and a workhorse out there on the field,” Page said. “She has the goals, but she is very unselfish in her play. She has a great touch and always working to be better. Overall, this is a young group of girls, but they’ve come together extremely well.
“We’ve definitely worked on defense for the past four years, but I haven’t had to put as much into it this season,” said Page, now in her fourth season at Skyview. “The girls are fine at defense, as our statistics show. So, we’ve put a lot more work into our offense.
“We lost five seniors and the girls had a lot to learn,” continued Page. “But we’ve had a lot of help for the freshmen from Amanda and our other older players. The girls have all willing worked hard and given 100-percent. These are girls who really love playing soccer. The offense has been a pleasant surprise and the girls have really stepped up.”
The Rivas twins, Lucero and Laura, have also excelled defensively on the field for Skyview while Mariah Rameriz has tacked on seven goals for the number-two spot on the team. Lucero has also tallied five goals to set in the third spots in goals scored.
“We believe in ourselves and we have a lot of confidence,” Lucero said. “We are playing so sound within our heads. Our defense is together and we’ve all been quick to get to the ball. Hopes are certainly high for a solid finish the rest of the way.”
Added Laura, “We have certainly done respectively well this season and our key is staying on top of our play. We just want to stay focused and do what is expected from us. We’re all close and that’s certainly a plus.”
Ramirez and keeper Perla Bracamontes have also had fine seasons, especially Bracamontes in goal. Adding to the success of the four keepers for the team this season has been assistant coach Lindsey Wrege.  
“We’ve really had a good defense this season and my teammates haven’t let a lot of ball get through, either,” Bracamontes said. “I always get nervous before a game. When the ball comes toward me I just want to make the best decisions I can at the moment and not turn back. The shutouts have been great.”
“I’m happy that we have been able to come together,” Ramirez said. “It’s been a lot of work, but it’s certainly paid off. I think a key is the leadership of our seniors and we try to keep the focus on the field. I’m calm and I try to calm the others down, too. I think we’ve been able to develop some great chemistry among all of us.”
It’s chemistry that should propel Skyview right into the playoffs.
SKYVIEW 3, ELIZABETH 1
Skyview     1  2  —  3
Elizabeth  0   1  —  1
Goals: Amanda Carpio, Skyview, 3. Elizabeth, Sophie Slade.