UCCS' season ends with playoff loss

DURANGO â€" The first playoff foray for the University of Colorado at Colorado womenâ€^TMs soccer program concluded with Wednesdayâ€^TMs 3-0 loss to the Fort Lewis Skyhawks at Dirks Field.

In just their second season, the Mountain Lions earned the No. 6 seed in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference playoffs and the chance to face to third-seeded Skyhawks. Fort Lewis (17-2-2, 13-1-2) advances to face Colorado School of Mines on Friday at Metro Stateâ€^TMs Auraria Field. UCCSâ€^TM season ended with a record of 7-10-1, 6-9-1 in the RMAC.

Fort Lewis did all of its damage in a span of less than four minutes Wednesday. At the 29:24 mark, Hayley Hollenga broke the scoreless tie by getting behind the Mountain Lion defense to chase down an over-the-top pass by Ashley Kniffen. Hollenga found herself in a one-on-one situation with UCCS goalkeeper Kayla Millar, who had already made three saves to that point, and slid the shot in.

Just 1:26 later, Sam Smith collected a loose ball on the right side and converted her shot just inside the far post. Another 2:13 passed when Torrey Lawson pounded home the rebound of a shot by Jamie MacArthur.

Three minutes, 39 seconds of dominance by Fort Lewis brought a season that began in early August to an end. Hundreds of hours of preparation and effort trumped in less than four minutes.

Millar, who finished with seven saves, and the Mountain Lions held Fort Lewis scoreless the rest of the way but were unable to generate anything offensively. The Skyhawks skillfully protected their lead, allowing just five shots. The only one of those that went on goal was Josi Heerâ€^TMs attempt just 6:50 into the match.

Christine Schmelzle and Kelcie Woodson combined in goal to get the shutout for Fort Lewis with the former making the lone save.