Libby Geraghty and Shae Holmes were remarkably similar on this statistical sheet this spring.
Geraghty, a senior at Cherry Creek who is headed to the University of Colorado to play soccer, led the Centennial League in scoring with 51 points and goals with 21.
Holmes, a junior at ThunderRidge, was the Continental League’s top scorer with 47 points and also topped goal scorers in the league with 20 tallies.
Geraghty and Holmes have been tabbed as 2017 Colorado Community Media South Metro Girls Soccer Co-Players of the Year.
Mountain Vista senior Taeya Schueppert was also strongly considered.
Geraghty wound up fourth in both points and goals in 5A statistics.
“She’s a fantastic player,” said Creek coach Jim Schneider. “Libby is a rock star. She’s a bright light and unquestionably the leader of the team.”
Holmes, a left back on her Real Colorado team and a defender on the USA Under 18 national squad, is a forward for only two months a year.
She and her friend Maddie Duren made the ThunderRidge varsity as freshman, but the only place for Holmes to play was outside forward while Duran saw playing time at left back.
Holmes just kept playing midfield and starting scoring goals.
“With Maddie and I on the wing kind of reminded me of my club and U.S. team,” said Holmes. “I was used to sending balls crossing like that. Since I got put in that spot, scoring came along with it. High school has been my time to go have some fun and score some goals.
“It’s definitely a blast. It’s something different and I learned something new each year since I don’t play the position year-round.”
The 2017 season could be Holmes’ last high school campaign if she decides to join the United States Development Academy.
“I’m leaning toward choosing the Academy over high school, which is a bummer,” she admitted. “It will be hard. I still want to be a part of the program and be a part of the atmosphere, be a manager or something.”
