sports

Women's soccer continues early shutout streak

By Jeremy Johnson
jjohn308@mscd.edu

The Metro women's soccer team pushed their early-season winning streak to three games by winning two matches over the Labor Day weekend at Auraria Field, including their first victory over a ranked team.

The Roadrunners (3-0) shut out No. 23-ranked Central Oklahoma 2-0 Friday afternoon. Metro scored its first goal late in the first half. Junior midfielder Amira Ebel broke the ice 35 minutes in with her first goal of the season, off an assist from junior forward Kylee Hanavan.

Freshman Anne Ormrod also scored her first goal of the season, coming at 80 minutes and proving to be enough to insure the win. Junior midfielder Kira Sharp notched the assist for Ormrod's goal, her second of the season.

"Obviously the key to the game was getting that second goal because we were under a ton of pressure," head coach Danny Sanchez said.

The win over a ranked team was a good challenge and an important win for the Roadrunners, who begin division play Friday.

"It was a big win for us, a big regional win," Sanchez said. "This game we needed to have."

The Roadrunners showed a lot of promise from several of their first and second-year players. Redshirt freshman and goalkeeper Rachel Zollner saved four shots on target.

"So far we're trying to identify some roles with the players. I'm pleased with our depth, though," Sanchez said. "We go to the bench and we don't really lose anything, which is key."

The Roadrunners are also beginning to finish off more goals, which was a concern of coach Sanchez after the slow start in the season opener. In fact, Metro finished several goals - including two apiece by Ormrod and senior forward Amy Leichliter - in a 6-0 victory over Minnesota State-Mankato Sunday at Auraria Field.

Hanavan came onto the field blazing, swiping a pass for an unassisted goal in the fourth minute to give the 'Runners the quick lead. Metro has yet to trail its opponent in any games this year.

In the 21st minute Ormrod's aim was true when she scored off sophomore fullback Jamie Gwinner's pass. Ormrod scored again late in the game for her third goal in three days.

Leichliter came out hot in the second half, scoring in the third minute off an assist by senior Jodi McGann, and again in the 11th minute, giving the 'Runners a 4-0 lead with about a third of the game to go.

Leichliter, Ormrod, and Hanavan lead the 'Runners in 2005 with three goals each.

Junior midfielder Shelley Radosevich scored her first goal of the season 88 minutes in, with a header to finish off Minnesota State, which is now 0-4 in the season.

The real action begins Friday as Metro enters into division play. The Roadrunners were the 2004 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Champions and will defend the title at 2 p.m. on Friday against Adams State. The women take on New Mexico Highlands University at noon on Sunday. Both games will take place at the Auraria Athletic Fields.