Weeks after hoisting a national championship trophy in Denver, the Colorado Rush South u17 girls were at Langoni Sports Complex practicing the sport they love.
The Pueblo-based team won the 2026 NPL Girls Black Division championship after defeating nationally qualified teams representing Missouri, Boca Raton, Seattle and finally Pittsburgh. Before the national tournament, the team went 10-0 going into regional competition.
Coach JJ Nunez told the Chieftain that there is no weak link on the roster and that players overcame being overlooked throughout their youth soccer careers.
"They were told they were never good enough," Nunez said. "They were told they were never going to have a team to compete. They were told this city is only big enough for one club and we proved them wrong. They were told that their talent is only going to take them so far and that it is just local. These girls traveled to Chicago, to California, and they have been finalists or champions within each tournament."
How did a group of girls representing Pueblo silence doubts and accomplish the feat of winning a national championship? Multiple players spoke to the Chieftain about playing as a “family.”
“It was a mental game for sure… I think just being as a family, it helped us get through the mental struggle,” right back Baylee Martinez said. “I think we helped each other more than anything.”
The team was underestimated, faced injuries and made mistakes on the field. Through it all, the girls stuck together and kept each other motivated. A core of the team has been together for three years, but some players have arrived more recently.
Winger Jocelyn Bryant told the Chieftain that the team has spent enough time together to grow "attached" and has found success through treating each other with kindness.
"We also support each other a lot... being there for each other not just as a team, but also as a friend — someone to talk to and be there for," striker Nevaeh Velez said.
On top of having an established, family-like camaraderie, the girls train hard. Center midfielder and all-tournament team honoree Harlow Roman said that the team wakes up and spends mornings together at the gym with occasional morning practices on top of going to practice in the evenings throughout the week.
The Colorado Rush South u17 girls' drive to win doesn't stop with a national championship. Left back Nolan Barrett told the Chieftain the team has its sights set on more playoff and tournament victories while getting better as a team.
Several team members are eyeing a chance to play soccer at the collegiate level, Nunez said. Some have committed to NCAA Division II universities, while others are being looked at by Division I schools.
Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news; subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: 'We proved them wrong': Pueblo girls soccer team wins national title
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