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Metro women begin season a leg up
Strong second-half D helps 'Runners hang on for pair of one-goal wins
By Jeremy Johnson
jjohn308@mscd.edu

Photo by Chuck Iversen • civerse1@mscd.edu Metro senior forward Kylee Hanavan battles with West Florida defensive back Lura Carter near the sideline for control of the ball during a match on Aug. 25 at Auraria Field. The ‘Runners came back from a 0-1 deficit with two goals in the first half, both assisted by Hanavan. The ‘Runners beat St. Edward’s, 1-0, on Aug. 27 to continue a winning streak that dates back to 2004. Hanavan scored the only goal in the win over the Hilltoppers and the forward phenom was also named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Week. The ‘Runners begin conference play against Adams State Sept. 1.

During the offseason, the Roadrunners added nine new players to the formidable dozen who returned, but the 2006 Metro women’s soccer team remains much as it was in 2005: unbeatable.

The first win of 2006 came Aug. 25 against nationally ranked West Florida (0-1-1) at Auraria Field, where the ’Runners (2-0-0) scored two goals in the first half and held on for a 2-1 win. The Argonauts came into the game ranked sixth in the nation, while Metro was ranked No. 5.

“It was good to play a really good team,” head coach Danny Sanchez said. “For our first game we have a lot to work on, but if we don’t test ourselves against good teams we won’t find out.”

Just three minutes into the first half, Argonauts’ grad student forward Amanda Light dropped a bender from outside the box that floated over the head of Metro junior goalkeeper Rachel Zollner.

Senior midfielder Amira Ebel evened the score with a goal developed and assisted by senior forward Kylee Hanavan and senior back Brooke Kiefer.

“The goal came because we all worked hard together,” Ebel said. “We have a lot of depth to this team.”

The key to Metro’s depth may be the nine new transfers and recruits. After struggling for control of the ball – and her feet – in front of West Florida’s net, freshman forward Becca Mays came out of a tangle with a defender to send home the game-winning goal, her first in collegiate play.

“I couldn’t decide if I was going to fall or if I was going to shoot it,” Mays said. Sanchez called Mays “dangerous” and “deceptively athletic.”

“We came in with half returnees and half incoming players, and it’s scary,” Hanavan said. “But they’re all really good and can play soccer.”

The ’Runners returned to a signature Sanchez team in the second half, using possession, defense and better conditioning to hold the tired Argonauts to zero corner kicks or shots on goal in the second half.

“We knew we had to step it up because it’s a big weekend,” Hanavan said. “The game was very physical, but that’s something we have to come out and do. And we did, we got the victory.”

The following Sunday the Roadrunners completed the weekend sweep at Auraria Field with a sleepy 1-0 win over the St. Edward’s University Hilltoppers (1-0-1).

Hanavan scored in the 34th minute with a shot that deflected off a Hilltopper defender. The goal was the only scoring action in an otherwise defensive battle focused on possession.

“It’s a completely new defense this year, but I think everyone’s stepping up and doing what they need to do,” sophomore defensive back Nicole Cito said. “Hopefully we’ll be as solid as we were last year.”

The Hilltoppers were held to only five shots on goal and, as in Friday’s game when Metro’s second-half savvy took over, the ’Toppers were held to one shot and no corner kicks in the latter stanza.

“I was very pleased with how we played,” Sanchez said. “I thought we did well (defensively), and the goals will come.”

The chances certainly came for the ’Runners and senior forward Kira Sharp in the second half. Sharp was unable to finish on a couple of opportunities in front of the net, but the midfielder-turned-forward remains confident that she can make the needed adjustments to score.

“I definitely want to get some more looks up top and to get some goals,” Sharp said. “Hopefully I can get that done.”

The Roadrunners always seem to get things done. Metro has not lost a game since 2004, when they went on to win the Division-II national title. The ’Runners were eliminated from last year’s NCAA Elite Eight in a shootout with Seattle-Pacific. The game entered record books as a tie.

The ’Runners look to keep their unbeaten streak alive next weekend, when they begin Rocky Mountain conference play. Metro will host Adams State on Sept. 1 and end the weekend against New Mexico Highlands on Sept. 3. Both games will be held at Auraria Field.