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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
The women's soccer team locked down its goal, while scoring seven goals Sept. 19 and 21 in Colorado Springs and Denver.
Sunday's game against Regis University was an improvement from any other game so far this season, as Metro's finishing finally paid off. Only 45 seconds into the game, forward Becca Mays fired the first goal of the day and her fourth of the season. According to Mays, it's important to score early in any match to gain an early lead.
"It sends the message to them that says we're going to play today, and we're going to put everything away," Mays said.
Just 15 minutes later, Mays scored once again, giving the 'Runners a 2-0 lead at the half. Mays was excited to be back on the field in Sunday's game, after she had to sit out one game when receiving a red card against Colorado School of Mines Sunday, Sept. 14.
"I will never get a red card again," Mays said.
"It was frustrating sitting there and watching. You can see yourself on the field thinking, 'I would have done this, I would have done that.' No more red cards."
Midfielder Madison McQuilliams and forward Ashley Nemmers continued the glory, each one scoring for Metro in the second half. Midfielder Jaimie Stephenson drilled back-to-back goals in the 80th minute, leaving the Roadrunners with a 6-0 victory.
"We came off a slow start without finishing, but we definitely showed today that we're dangerous," head coach Adrianne Almaraz said. "This is the time that we need to gain momentum and keep it going throughout the rest of the RMAC conference and playoffs."
Metro had a total of 18 shots, 11 on goal. Mays believes the number of shots per game has improved, but also realizes that it's acceptable if they don't score on every opportunity they produce.
"Since we're doing it in practice almost all the time now, it's getting into our minds that we don't finish every chance," Mays said.
"We just proved in this game that we found it finally."
The Roadrunners began the weekend on Friday with a 1-0 victory against UC-Colorado Springs. The teams walked into the game as two of the best defensive squads in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, and the match lived up to its expectations. The game was scoreless until the beginning of the second half when Stephenson scored the only goal of the game off a penalty kick, and her second of the season. Metro had 14 shots, eight of which were on goal.
"We're doing excellent this year," goalkeeper Becca Maloney said.
"I'm so proud of all my defenders."
Mays finished the weekend with two goals, one assist, and leads the team with five goals.
"She's come within her own over the last few years, especially now as a junior," Almaraz said.
"She's stepping up and becoming a leader on the field that the girls are turning to, not only because of her natural ability, but because of how she's confident and how she directs things on the field."
Goalkeeper Becca Maloney saved a total of 11 and recorded her fifth shut out of the season.
"Nothing has been given to her, she's earned every, single bit of it," Almaraz said. "You get certain things out of players, and she's definitely one that I'm expecting great things here, in the near future, and later."
Metro is now 3-0-1 in the RMAC, 6-1-2 overall, and is tied for first with Colorado School of Mines. The Roadrunners will come home to host Carson-Newman Sunday, Sept. 28 at Auraria Field.
"This is a big year for me," Maloney said.
"I didn't play at all last year. I'm working hard, and I don't let my team down."
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