WESTMINSTER >> As the wind whipped and bone-chilling cold settled in over North Stadium on Thursday night, Legacy girls soccer was brewing a storm of its own.

The Lightning, which entered their contest against No. 7 Erie ranked No. 13 in CHSAA’s Class 5A Selection & Seeding Index, didn’t leave anything to chance in their 3-0 victory over the Tigers. They have their eyes set firmly on their end goal — with a state crown in hand by season’s end — and they made that known from the very beginning when they pushed the pace on the Tigers.

Legacy first struck in the 30th minute when senior midfielder Natalie Mezarina converted from about 15 yards out. Her fellow senior middy, Makayla Martinez, then padded their lead further when she sunk her own goal from 20 yards on the left side in the 36th minute.

The Lightning eliminated all of the suspense in the 62nd minute when freshman forward Anaya Bursey drew Erie junior keeper Mackenzie Paul out of the net, then redirected the ball on a cross to sophomore forward Emma Smedley. Smedley tapped it in with ease.

Bursey’s been leading the team with eight goals this season and has been a major factor in their road to a now 7-1-1 record.

“It’s just amazing to be able to see the diversity that we have within our team,” Mezarina said. “There’s not one person on this team that doesn’t have a unique ability that they can just add to our team. It’s not just that, but we’re all just amazing friends too, on and off the field. We have so much fun together and we’re able to really create that on the field. Everybody scores. It’s not just one person, it’s a group effort.”

The Tigers, for their part, couldn’t hit paydirt despite multiple promising chances. They suffered their first loss of the season and dropped to 6-1-2, having tied No. 1 Cherry Creek and No. 3 Boulder in their other non-victories.

Sophomore midfielder Taylin Maynes gave all of the credit to their new leader.

“It’s definitely our coach,” she emphasized. “Last year, we had the spirit and this year, we have the work ethic. There’s so much growth with these girls. We definitely get frustrated with each other on the field, but I would say that, without (head coach Laura Munnelly), we wouldn’t have it in us. She’s pushed us like no other coach has ever pushed us. She’s conditioning the hell out of us, and it’s just like this all the time. I feel like this year, our focus is there.”

The Lightning, with their latest big win under their belts, will head to Rocky Mountain on Friday as the Tigers prepare to face off with Brighton on the road on Saturday.

When asked if she believed if her Legacy squad can take their talents all the way this season, Mezarina confidently answered, “Yes, absolutely. We’re going to do it, We’re going to try as hard as we can, and I’m so excited to see where we go.”