Sports

'Runners overrun weekend competition

Women's soccer carries shutout streak into RMAC

By Jeremy Johnson
jjohn308@mscd.edu

The Metro women's soccer team had another strong weekend on the field, sweeping Adams State College and New Mexico Highlands University to go 2-0 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.

The Roadrunners started off their weekend by shutting down Adams State (2-4, 0-1 RMAC) 4-0, Friday afternoon at Auraria Field. The Metro win was the first in division play for the defending RMAC champions.

The 'Runners were stifled on offense, accumulating three offside penalties early in the game. Adams State junior goalkeeper Heather Boyd was busy in the first half and made several spectacular saves, including a charge from the net to steal a goal from sophomore forward Katie Kilbey in the 29th minute.

"We just didn't play quick enough and they were pretty organized in the back," head coach Danny Sanchez said. "But, in the second half we were able to break that down a little bit."

Kilbey eventually exacted her revenge, heading a goal home with 8:18 left in the first half. The goal came off a deflection, after Boyd blocked two Kylee Hanavan shots.

"We finally picked up the intensity; and we needed to because it was very, very slow in the beginning," Kilbey said. "We worked hard and I was just in the right spot. Kylee is a hard worker and she got it across to me and I just put it in the goal."

Hanavan came out in typical style in the second half. After fielding an assist from junior defensive back Kristen Sonsma, Hanavan juked an Adams State defender for a turn-around goal, giving Metro a 2-0 lead. Hanavan is second on the 'Runners' squad with five goals this season.

Metro's scoring leader, Anne Ormrod, laced in two goals in the second half. The first in the 13th minute of the second half, and again with 11 minutes left to secure the 'Runner's fourth win of the season. Ormrod has six goals on the season so far, but continues to seek improvement.

"We need to move the ball a lot quicker," Ormrod said. "I think we kind of took them for granted a little bit and they're a very good team. It was one-nil in the first half when we could've been three or four up. We definitely need to intensify the game."

The Roadrunners out-shot the Grizzlies by a ratio of 4 to 1, giving freshman goalkeeper Rachel Zollner another easy outing in the net. On Sept. 7, Zollner earned RMAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

"My defense is doing a great job of making everything predictable and making it easy for me to pick the ball up," Zollner said. "And the ones that are difficult, well, if you only have to make one save a game then it shouldn't be too bad."

According to Sanchez, the team's depth and hustle has been the real key to their success so far.

Despite not having any goals or assists, junior midfielder Kira Sharp had another good weekend in the two-game set.

"(Sharp) has really done a great job controlling the midfield and has really stepped in," Sanchez said.

Metro's game against NMHU (2-3, 0-2 RMAC) on Sunday, Sept. 11 resulted in another 4-0 victory.

Out of 19 first-half shots on goal, Metro came up blank, with the exception of an early goal by freshman defensive back Nicole Cito-her first of the season. Cito also helped to anchor the Roadrunner defense, which has yet to allow a goal this season.

"I think our communication is key," Cito said. "Then there's four strong defensive players always in there. Obviously, the keeper does a great job, too."

The 'Runners retained a one-goal lead until Hanavan scored her fifth goal of the season on a loose-ball shot in the 75th minute.

"We're winning, which is the No. 1 goal," Hanavan said. "But we're not consistent. We're getting there, though."

Metro got their second "gift" goal of the season when the Cowgirls' junior defensive back Gina Duttle scored an own-goal on an errant header.

Ormrod added the final goal in the 88th minute of the game, driving the ball home after Cowgirls' goalkeeper McKaila Dorman survived a barrage of her shots.

The Roadrunners continue conference play with a game at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 against Fort Lewis College. Metro plays at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18 against Mesa State College. Both games are at Auraria Field.