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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
Metro women's soccer team had a hard time finding the back of the net this past weekend, scoring only four times in their two contests at Auraria Field.
The Roadrunners attempted a total of 48 shots, 26 on goal, between two games Sept. 5 and 7, yet only four drove between the pipes.
"It was frustrating, especially in the back," defender Courtney Ryan said. "I wanted to go up there myself. I think all the defenders were frustrated about that."
The 5-foot-3-inch freshman left her defensive position a number of times during the weekend to carry the ball up to the offense. Though nobody responded to her crossovers, Ryan continued to work hard throughout the entire weekend.
"She's definitely stepped it up," head coach Adrianne Almaraz said on Ryan's performance. "Throughout the game, she just gets better and better. She's an intense player, and we're looking for good things from her for the rest of the season and in coming up years also."
In Metro's first game against Washburn on Sept. 5, the two teams battled to a 1-1 tie. With the help of defender Nicole Cito, forward Becca Mays was able to finish only one of the 27 opportunities.
On the other hand, Almaraz states a different opinion on the situation.
"At the end of the day, goals are what matter and what count," Almaraz said. "We're getting opportunities so that's a good thing, but we need to work on our finishing. I think I'd be more worried if we weren't getting opportunities."
Sunday's game against Grand Canyon was a different story for the Roadrunners. Mays opened the first five minutes with a goal, assisted by Ryan. Later in the half, Mays scored off a corner kick from defender Gabby Klipp.
"She actually had a very big weekend," Almaraz said on Mays' performance. "Last game was a little frustrating for her not finishing when she should have, but this game she definitely finished."
Midfielder Vanessa Mais would continue the scoring in the second half off a penalty kick in the box, leaving Metro with a 3-1 victory.
The Roadrunners are preparing for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference schedule starting Sept. 12 and 14. Metro was in this same place at this same time last year right before conference play began-3-1. According to Mays, the team is looking better than last year's team.
"I think we're more solid," Mays said. "We have a lot of depth on the bench. We work really well together as a team."
In spite of their need to work on finishing, the Roadrunners have generated a powerful team so far in the 2008 season. With a speedy offense and fierce midfield, they are putting on the pressure and have already scored 10 goals in five games. Metro's sturdy defense has only allowed six goals. Goalkeeper Becca Maloney has played the whole 90 minutes for the past three games, and is looking like she will be Metro's starting goalkeeper.
"As for right now, she's doing a good job, and if she continues to work hard, she will be (starting goalkeeper)," Almaraz said.
Metro is now 3-1-1 overall and will start conference play Sept. 12, against New Mexico Highlands in New Mexico, and Sept. 14, against Colorado School of Mines in Golden. Metro beat New Mexico Highlands last year 4-0, however lost to Mines 1-0.
"For New Mexico, it's an away game, so we just focus on getting a result out of that," Mays said on the upcoming weekend. "With Mines, the tension from last year when we lost at their place, that'll definitely help."
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