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Last Updated: Nov 26th, 2008 - 13:13:40 |
Metro breaks hearts
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Fort Lewis midfielder Ginny Maddox sits distraught after losing to Metro 3-0 in the second round of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament. The Roadrunners proceeded to the RMAC championship match and won against Regis University 1-0. (Photo by Jeremy Papasso / jpapasso@mscd.edu)
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After losing in the second round in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament the past two years, the Metro women's soccer team finally struck back this year winning the championship game against Regis University Nov. 9 at Auraria Field.
The Roadrunners (17-1-3, 11-0-2 RMAC) beat the Rangers in the beginning of the season 6-0, however, those numbers didn't mean anything going into the final match. Regis (15-6, 11-2 RMAC) walked into the championship game on a nine-game winning streak defeating Fort Lewis and Mesa State to finish out the regular season, and shutout the Colorado School of Mines 3-0 in the second round of the RMAC Touranment.
Metro began the game with confidence as forward Becca Mays scored the only goal of the game
after 17 minutes of play. Mays' shot was deflected off the Rangers' defense, and the ball went into the left corner of the net.
The Roadrunners and the Rangers had the same number of shots on goal in the first half with six, but Regis picked up their game in the second half, outshooting the Roadrunners 12-6. Metro sat back in the second half, not really focusing on scoring another goal, but defending theirs.
"Once we scored, because it was so early in the game, we continued to play," head coach Adrianne Almaraz said. "We had other opportunities, as they did, but towards the end of the game, we just looked to defend. Not looking to continue to try to score more, just defend and get the win if we could."
Metro's heavy defense paid off as they won the game 1-0 and bringing the RMAC trophy back to Denver, picking up their fourth RMAC title.
"It's been a couple years since we won the tournament," Almaraz said. "I think the girls really responded this weekend, and hopefully it will keep our momentum for NCAA playoffs."
Before the championship game, the Roadrunners played in the semifinal match against Fort Lewis Nov. 7 at Auraria Field. Metro came out a little flat in the first half, but regained their confidence in the second half as they scored three goals for the shutout. The 'Runners also couldn't score until the second half when they played Fort Lewis in the regular season. Mays scored the first goal within five minutes of the second half and feels it doesn't matter if they score in the first half.
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Metro forward Becca Mays tries to tackle Regis forward Jordan Miller. (Photo by Linh Ngo / lngo@mscd.edu)
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"We had billions of opportunities in the first half and we just couldn't seem to put one in," Mays said. "I think us scoring within the first five minutes of the second half proved that it's a matter of time before we find them."
Senior defender Nicole Cito was the 2008 RMAC women's soccer Player of the Year. Cito is a two-time returning all-American and helped the Metro defense allowed only four goals in 13 consecutive games. Cito is a two-year captain, and a four-year starter.
"It's an amazing accomplishment," Cito said. "But looking at it, it's not just me. I think it really reflects on Metro and specifically our team in general. You can't do it without your team."
The Roadrunners will host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament at Auraria Field. Metro has a bye in the first round and will either play Mines (12-5-3) or Minnesota State-Mankato (15-3-2) in the second round. The Roadrunners tied Mines in the regular season 0-0 and 1-1, and lost to Mankato 3-2 in overtime their very first game of the season. It was Metro's only loss on the year.
"I'm actually very pleased with the draw, because both teams we want to play again," Almaraz said.
"Mines we've tied twice, Mankato we lost to at the very beginning of the season. We know that both teams, that if we're on, we can beat them. I think for the girls it's a little more exciting because both teams we know we could have done better, so it gives us that much more fire to come out and play either one of them."
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