Red Hots are first girls U10 all-county soccer team.
by Kate Kettler

For the first time in Woodland Park history, there is an under-10, all-girls, all-Teller County, competitive soccer team.

Known as the Red Hots, they play with the Corinthians Soccer Club in Colorado Springs. The nine girls who make up the team range from ages 8 to 10 and are enthusiastic about their chance to play against the boys.

“We get to be competitive, get energy out and just have fun,” 9-year-old Hanna Chaja said.
“When I played on Parks and Rec, I never got tired. I wanted to have my parents as coaches,” said 9-year-old Maia Pappadakis, whose parents are Woodland Park High School teachers Andy and Sherry Pappadakis.

Both of Maia’s parents have played an active role in bringing more soccer-related activities to Woodland Park. Andy is the Woodland Park High School head varsity soccer coach for both the boys and girls. He also runs the summer soccer camp.

Before the Red Hots, there was no level of soccer above recreational in Woodland Park.

“We have sent individual kids [to Colorado Springs] before,” Andy Pappadakis said. “But this is the first time an all-Woodland Park team is really committed for the long haul.”

In addition to the girls team, a younger boys team is also competing with the Corinthians. To assist the Pappadakises with coaching are two former members of the WPHS girls soccer team.

College student Erin Colton is the head coach of the Red Hots.

“This is more than just wanting competition and better training, this is about building community,” Andy Pappadakis said. “I wanted to step back and let younger coaches step up. Erin was a team captain in high school. She’s [in the] top 10 percent of [all] people.”

Woodland Park High School senior Kinsey Hess also helps to coach the Red Hots, and does so for two reasons. First, she loves soccer, and second, but more importantly, she is giving the girls an opportunity she never had.

“I love winning,” she said. “But up here we are so far from club teams that when we get into the high school level we are not competitive. I wish I would have had this when I was a kid.”

On Oct 10, the Red Hots played in the fifth of their eight scheduled games. Since it is their first year, they have been playing in the developmental league for the Corinthians against co-ed or all-boys teams.

“I have seen those girls get physically plowed by boys that are much bigger than them, but they’ll get right back up and keep playing,” said parent Shauna Allison. “They are a force to be reckoned with.”

“They have been doing very well in the boys league,” Andy Pappadakis said. “We are already looking forward to next year.”