COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Greatness and dominance are words often used in sports. Greatness, meaning “outstandingly superior or skillful,” dominance, meaning “controlling, powerful, or prevailing.” In the context of sports, these terms are reserved for the best of the best. The 2004 and 2006 women’s soccer teams from Metropolitan State University of Denver certainly fit that bill.
The early-2000s women’s soccer teams from MSU Denver were a dynasty, and that began with the hiring of head coach Danny Sanchez in 2002. In 2002 and 2003, the teams won the RMAC regular-season championships, RMAC Tournaments, and NCAA Midwest region titles, but there was something yet to accomplish. A National Championship.
In 2004, the team was on a mission. “The 2004 squad was simply dominating,” said now University of Colorado women’s soccer head coach Danny Sanchez. After dropping our third match to a DI transitioning team, we ran off 23 straight wins.” Dominating, indeed. Overall, they finished 25-1-0, and 14-0 in the RMAC. In their 23 straight victories, 13 came by three or more goals, and they shutout their opponent in 16 matches, including seven consecutive games leading into the national championship, where they were victorious with a 3-2 result over Adelphi. The 2004 team still holds several RMAC records, including points, assists, and goals in a season, fewest goals allowed per game, and most wins in a season. They also hold many individual match records and are near the top in several more season records.
The 2006 team penned their story a little bit differently. This team was defined by perseverance and grit. After coming off a disappointing penalty-kick loss in the NCAA tournament the previous season and seeing their NCAA record 59-game unbeaten streak come to an end, they had four games go into overtime, and were defeated by Fort Lewis in the RMAC Tournament semifinals. Following that, they played five NCAA tournament games, with three going into overtime on their way to a national championship victory over Grand Valley State. The 2006 team finished 24-2 overall and 12-0 in the RMAC.
According to coach Sanchez, these two teams shared a commonality, “Although both these teams had different paths to a title, they both shared the unrelenting desire to be the best.” Sanchez also credited MSU Denver athletic director at the time, Joan McDermott, and the support staff for the success of the two teams, stating, “the success of these fantastic women wouldn’t have happened without a great support staff, led by McDermott. Joan never for a second wavered in her support of our student-athletes and coaches. Joan knew what it took to win national championships and she gave us all the tools to make it happen.”
The MSU Denver women’s soccer dynasty made its mark and set the standard for programs of the future, and still stands the test of time, and that all starts with the national championship teams of 2004 and 2006.
The 2004 and 2006 MSU Denver women’s soccer programs will now be inducted into the 2023 RMAC Hall of Fame together this summer. The 2023 RMAC Hall of Fame will be held on Thursday, July 13, inside the Colorado Springs Marriott.