It was the “do or die” time of the season for Metro’s No. 1 ranked women’s soccer team as they entered the NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament, and Metro did by advancing to the next round as the Midwest Champions.

In the first round of the tournament, Metro faced and beat the fourth seeded Central Oklahoma Bronchos 4-0.

The Roadrunners started the game connecting on their passes to each other, and they were able to get an early lead in the game 1-0 after senior Kristin Nason was able to head a shot past the goalkeeper of the Bronchos.

It set up by a corner kick from fellow senior Naomi Clarke.

In the second half, Metro was able to hold the Central Oklahoma’s offense to only two shots in the game and the ‘Runners capitalized on their own scoring chances. Getting the other goals for the Roadrunners were sophomore Amy Leichliter, freshman Carolyn Nason, and junior Meisha Pyke.

In the second round and the Midwest Championship game, Metro faced the No. 15 West Texas A&M Lady Buffs. Metro faced West Texas earlier this year and beat them 1-0 in that game.

Both teams played back and forth soccer; one team would make a charge only to be pushed back by the other team’s defense. Metro had a chance to get the lead before halftime, but a shot by Leichliter went wide left.

In the second half, Metro was able to hit pay dirt as team captain and three-time All-American Clarke was able to collect her own rebound off the Lady Buffs goalkeeper and scored.

“I don’t even remember the first half of the goal, just caught the rebound and put it in,” Clarke said.

The Lady Buffs weren’t able to recover, as they couldn’t put together any type of offensive pressure on the Roadrunner’s defense or goalkeeper Mandy Allen. Allen posted her 17th shutout this season.

“Sometimes I think we get taken for granted, we don’t get respect in the region, this (winning) is a real testimony to this team,” said Danny Sanchez, head coach.

Now Metro is off to California to play against the Far West Regional Champions, which will either be No. 17 Cal-State Dominguez Hills or No. 3 UC-San Diego. This is the second consecutive season the Roadrunners have won the regional championship.

Going into the tournament, Metro was already receiving awards for their undefeated season.
Clarke was named the RMAC player-of-the year and named to the First-Team All-RMAC. Sanchez was named the coach of the year for the second season in a row.

Also named to First-Team All-RMAC were Nason and senior defender Colleen Fellin. Leichliter and junior Adrianne Almaraz were named Second-Team All-RMAC.

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