For 63 minutes, it looked like more of the same for the Fort Lewis College women’s soccer team that has struggled to score the majority of the season.
But a pair of goals came in the second half for the Skyhawks (4-3-4, 3-1-3 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) to give FLC a big 2-0 road win Friday night at UC-Colorado Springs (4-3-4, 3-1-3 RMAC).
“It was a big game for us. Getting the two goals is huge for our group mental health,” FLC head coach Jimmy Hall said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “As a program, it is big for us to take wins from the other programs in the conference to keep us in it.”
Alicia Sanchez, a freshman midfielder, assisted by sophomore forward Keisha Green, scored in the 63rd minute.
“The second half we were more dangerous attacking, and we put pressure on that we didn’t do in the first half,” Hall said. “Sanchez got that touch around the box and took a fantastic shot.”
FLC added an insurance goal in the game’s final 5 minutes when redshirt freshman midfielder Shannon Harpham scored on a free kick.
“Shannon continued to put pressure on and got a free kick. She served it up on target, and the ball went through the goalie’s hands and into the net,” Hall said. “That’s why you always want to be dangerous and put it on frame.”
It was the first goal of the season for both players.
Shots were 15-11 in favor of UC-Colorado Springs, and FLC goalkeeper Caitlyn Espinosa made five saves to record her sixth consecutive shutout of the season.
FLC will return to Durango to play New Mexico Highlands (6-3-2, 3-2-2 RMAC) at noon Sunday at Dirks Field.
“It is going to be a battle. The game will be about us winning the ball in the midfield and getting wide, because Highlands’ strength is up the middle,” Hall said.
heraldsports@ durangoherald.com
