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Last Updated: Nov 5th, 2008 - 03:20:44 |
The Metro women’s soccer team clinched the top spot in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference after defeating both Fort Lewis Oct. 31 in Durango and Mesa State Nov. 2 in Grand Junction.
The game against Fort Lewis was a crucial match for the Roadrunners (15-1-3, 11-0-2 in the RMAC), since it determined who would be hosting the tournament on their home turf. Coming into the game, Fort Lewis was 11-4-2, 9-1-1 in the conference, holding on to first place.
Metro started out slowly in the first half, only taking two shots compared to the Skyhawks’ six. The Roadrunners weren’t able to capitalize on their opportunities until the 73rd minute, when forward Becca Mays broke the deadlock. She took a pass from forward Jen Thomas and had an open shot from the top right of the box for the first score of the game. Thirteen minutes later, Thomas scored her 13th goal of the season, guiding her team to the 2-0 victory.
“I think everyone was just working extremely hard; we battled the entire game,” Thomas said. “We found a way to put it in the back of the net. We had opportunities, and we finished them.”
The Roadrunners finished the game with six shots total, while the Skyhawks had 10. Fort Lewis dropped to second place, while Metro took the No. 1 position.
Mesa State came into the game Nov. 2, 12-7-1, 7-5 in the RMAC, and in fifth place. The Mavericks scored an early goal against the Roadrunners to take the lead five minutes in. Mesa held the lead almost the entire game until Mays tied it up with only 12 minutes to go in regulation. At five minutes into the overtime period, midfielder Madison McQuilliams scored the game-winning goal and her fifth goal of the season.
“It felt so good,” McQuilliams said. “I was so relieved and so glad that the game was over, and we finished it.”
Mesa’s loss dropped them to sixth place, right behind CSU-Pueblo, who won against Adams State 7-1.
Thomas finished the weekend with one goal and one assist, with three shots on goal. She has the second-highest number of goals on the team with 13, right behind Mays, who has 17. Thomas is excited that her team is hosting the tournament, but still believes there is still a lot to do in order to win the tournament.
“That’s what we’ve been working for all season,” Thomas said. “It’s definitely a goal that we’ve accomplished, but we still have a lot more work to do.”
Fort Lewis lost to Regis Nov. 2, which drops them down to fourth place. The Roadrunners are now in first place and will be hosting the tournament, which is from Nov. 5 to Nov. 9. Metro doesn’t play the first round, but will either play against CSU-Pueblo or Fort Lewis in the second round at 11 a.m. Nov. 7 at Auraria Field. The championship game is at noon Nov. 9 at Auraria Field.
The Roadrunners beat CSU-Pueblo twice in the regular season 4-0 and 7-1, plus, they won against Fort Lewis Oct. 31. Head coach Adrianne Almaraz doesn’t think it matters who they play in the second round, as long as there is a victory involved.
“At the end of the day, we just have to come out and win,” Almaraz said. “Regardless of who we play, we just have to show up, and we have to do a good job, and take care of business. For me, both teams are tough teams, and any given day, anyone can win.”
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