UCCS women's soccer opens season with convincing win

COLORADO SPRINGS - Four different Mountain Lions scored as the University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's soccer team opened its 2011 season with a convincing 4-1 victory over the McPherson Bulldogs Saturday at Mountain Lion Stadium.

Candice Buckles, Agnes Arnadottir, Lindsey Birdseye and Jenna Lubieniecki each scored for UCCS. Julia Saenz, the defending Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference leader in assists, aided on two goals. Ashley Hooper and Hannah Levett each also had an assist.

The Mountain Lions had 20 shots in the match, nine of which were on goal. McPherson managed just four shots, with to going on frame.

"Today was a great building game for us," said UCCS coach Nichole Ridenour. "We worked on some great little maneuvers and techniques that we needed to see at full speed."

UCCS opened the scoring in the 25th minute as Saenz broke free down the left side and delivered a crossing pass to Buckles, who was charging the center of the net. Buckles one-touched it past Bulldogs goalkeeper Molly Whitwell.'

McPherson evened the score in the 29th minute when Geneva Gray blasted an unassisted goal from 30 yards out. The score remained 1-1 into the intermission.

The Mountain Lions broke the tie when Arnadottir, a transfer from Rhode Island, headed in Saenz's corner kick in the 52nd minute. Birdseye made it 3-1 in the 78th minute by heading in a crossing pass by Hooper.

UCCS completed the scoring as Lubieniecki converted on Levett's cross from the left side.

Kelly Schroeder made one save to earn the win in goal for UCCS.

"It was great as a first game because it gave us a chance to not only play someone out of our conference but also take a look at ourselves against someone we've never seen play before," said Ridenour.