UPDATE: The Boulder Valley School District field hockey team is making headlines after a thrilling 1-0 victory over No. 9 Mountain Vista in the first round of the playoffs. The eighth-seeded Panthers secured their spot in the quarterfinals, set to face off against top-seeded Cherry Creek on Thursday, October 31, 2025.
The Panthers’ win was sealed by a late goal from Tenley Layne, a senior captain who has evolved from a novice player to a standout athlete with 11 goals and 12 assists this season. Layne expressed her pride in her growth, stating, “I feel like I really put in my full effort and it’s fully reflected.”
This season marks the Panthers’ second year as a varsity team, and their journey is nothing short of inspiring. The team owes its formation to fellow senior captains Lyla Jolly and Courtney Windt, who campaigned for a high school field hockey program since middle school. Jolly, who has a background in the sport from the East Coast, emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for girls in high school to play.
The Panthers have come a long way since they began with just 45 players in their inaugural year. They quickly established a junior varsity team and proved their mettle with a triumphant win over a varsity team last season, setting the stage for their current playoff success. Head coach Allyse Mullen noted the team’s impressive performance, highlighting that they have never scored this many goals in a season before.
As they prepare to battle Cherry Creek, the Panthers are riding high on momentum with a current record of 12-3-1. Layne and teammate Drew Layne rank sixth and seventh in Colorado for points, with 34 and 32, respectively.
The stakes are high as the Panthers aim to upset the top-seeded team. Jolly remarked, “It feels like a sports movie. I didn’t think that this could happen in real life.” With the playoffs underway, all eyes will be on the Panthers as they strive to make history.
Fans and supporters are eagerly awaiting the showdown against Cherry Creek, set to take place on Thursday afternoon. The excitement is palpable, and this game promises to be a pivotal moment for the BVSD field hockey program.
