Metro second in the nation
'Runners two home wins secure the spot
by Elin Otter
The Metropolitan
With two convincing wins over conference opponents, the Metro women's soccer team jumped from third to second place in the national poll conducted by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Friday, Oct. 15, the Roadrunners took on New Mexico Highlands (2-7-2, 1-7-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) at Auraria Field. Coming into the game, the 'Runners (14-1, 9-0 RMAC) had not lost on their own turf since Sept. 6, 2002, and the team was not about to lose this time either.
In the sixth minute of play, senior midfielder Ymara Guante dribbled past two defenders and served the ball to junior forward Amy Leichliter, who made no mistake as she placed the ball behind Cowgirl goalkeeper Dee McGillivray.
The rest of the first half was slow for the Roadrunners defense as they faced only five shots, none on goal. It was worse for the Cowgirls. The Metro offense fired off 16 shots and forced McGillivray to come out big, making seven saves.
Still, head coach Sanchez was not satisfied with the team effort.
"We weren't sharp in our execution," Sanchez said. "In getting 16 shots-of which many were quality chances-scoring only one goal isn't good enough."
In the second half, the Roadrunners came out on fire. In the 49th minute, junior midfielder Marina MacDonald got her head on a cornerkick from sophomore forward Kylee Hanavan and the ball went over the hands of McGillivray and hit the back of the net.
The 'Runners domination continued as Guante dribbled down the left flank and pulled the ball back towards the six-yard box where MacDonald got a touch on it before the ball hit the shin of a Cowgirl defender and rolled into the goal.
Only three minutes later, Guante again dribbled down the left flank and pulled the ball back. Only this time, MacDonald got a clear hit and the Highlands keeper did not have a chance. This was the first hat-trick for MacDonald in the Roadrunner jersey.
"I felt good about the goals, obviously," MacDonald said. "But in the end, it's all about the team and not the individual. The services from Kylee (Hanavan) and Ymara (Guante) on the goals made it easy for me."
Sanchez said he felt better about the second half and added that the passing, the movement in general and the overall finishing were sharper in the second half.
Sunday, Oct. 17 was the Adams State Grizzlies' (4-10-1, 2-6-1 RMAC) turn to face the 'Runners who were riding an 11-game win streak. The Grizzlies' hopes of a win were crushed as they lost 7-0. The game was tied for less than six minutes before MacDonald sent a through-ball to Hanavan, who blazed past defenders as she scored her 19th goal of the season.
The Grizzlies were given no opportunity to bounce back as the Roadrunners added three more goals in the next 19 minutes. Guante, freshman defender Jamie Gwinner and senior midfielder Adrianne Almaraz also made contributions.
The second half started slow for the 'Runners until the 65th minute, when All-American Leichliter stole a pass, dribbled past the Grizzlies goalkeeper and put the ball away. Nine minutes later, forward colleague Hanavan served Leichliter with another great pass and Leichliter was able to score her 14th goal of the season.
Before the game ended, Metro managed to score once more. Sophomore midfielder Stacy Anderson got her head on a corner kick from junior midfielder Jodi McGann and the ball bounced over the goal line. The win extended Metro's home game win streak to 28.
Offensively this season, the Roadrunners have scored 73 goals in 15 games, which gives the team a 4.87 goals-scored average. Defensively, Metro has given up eight goals and its goals-against average is .53.
Team captain Adrianne Almarez said the team's success this year is due to good teamwork. The defense helps the offense and the offense helps the defense, Alamraz said.
"First of all we have a lot of talent on the team, individually," Almaraz said. "Second, we have a good coaching staff in Dave (Morgan) and Danny (Sanchez) that brings it all together."
The Roadrunners control their destiny. If the team does not give up a loss, they will host the RMAC tournament, the regional playoffs and the Elite Eight. Almaraz said she is positive about the future.
Metro face Mesa State (3-11-2, 2-6-2 RMAC) 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 22 at Auraria Field. Sunday, Oct. 24, the 'Runners host Fort Lewis (3-5-8, 2-2-6 RMAC) at 11 a.m. |
