Freshman Chloe McComas slices up field for Del Norte during the Tiger's Round 1 win over Colorado Springs School. McComas scored two of Del Norte's goals and assisted on the third.  (Courier photos by Stephen Jiron)

DEL NORTE — The first hurdle in the 2A State Tournament has been cleared. Del Norte downed the Kodiaks on a Tuesday evening that warmed up nicely. Defending Speiser Field the Tigers ripped off a 3-0 shut out to begin their 2018 campaign for the title.

Both teams started off at a slow pace as they felt each other out.  Yet it was still all Del Norte in the first half. Del Norte found their rhythm when Kendra Parra got an assist from Chloe McComas to put the Tigers out in front. From there the Tigers rode the momentum.  

McComas tacked on her first of the day when she put laces to a ball that turned into a shot and made it a 2-0 game with 22 minutes remaining in the first half. The final score happened with 8 minutes remaining in the half. McComas added her second with a shot that went tall. Colorado Springs’ keeper got both hands on it for what looked like a save but couldn’t control it as it dropped behind her back and crossed the goal line.

Del Norte had built a 3-goal lead and the offensive flow slowed to a crawl for the Tigers in the second half. Del Norte played a good portion of the second half from their side of the field exiting for a few shots on goal. Tuesday’s win showcased a complete effort from Del Norte, offensively in the first half to take the lead and defensively in the second to maintain it. In net Lacie Jones collected the win and a shut out fighting off seven shots. The win advances Del Norte to Round 2 of the 2A State Championship.

In Round 2 the Tigers will travel to Colorado Springs to face off with number three, Fountain Valley (12-3-0). Del Norte will need to be sharp on Friday as Fountain Valley’s Danes are a more dangerous team than Colorado Springs School.

The Danes have pitched 6 shut outs this season averaging 3.33 goals a game. The Dane’s 3 losses this season were to teams ranked 6, 10 and 11 in 3A soccer. Senior Ani Love leads the Fountain Valley offense in scoring with 23 goals and seven assists. In net for the Danes, sophomore Tilly Rahm owns 5 of the teams shut outs and has 55 saves to 13 goals allowed. Round 2 begins at on 4:30 p.m. on May 11.