UCCS halts skid with win over Metro State

COLORADO SPRINGS - The University of Colorado Colorado Springs found the back of the net for the first time in three games with a 3-1 win over the Metro State Roadrunners Sunday afternoon at Mountain Lion Stadium.

Agnes Arnadottir got things started for the UCCS when she was took a penalty kick in the 11th minute. Candice Buckles dribbled into the Metro State box and was fouled hard. Arnadottir didn't miss and her early goal gave the Mountain Lions a 1-0 lead.

The goal by Arnadottir was the first UCCS goal since Oct. 12 against CSU-Pueblo and seemed to be exactly what the Mountain Lions needed on their senior day.

Fittingly, pair of UCCS seniors hooked up on the next goal when Julia Saenz sent a cross in that found Jessica Escobedo making a far-post run for a goal in the 31st minute.
 
The explosive offense of Metro State wouldn't be silenced the whole match however, as Abby Rolph was awarded a penalty kick of her own that she converted in the 52nd minute.

UCCS gave itself some necessary breathing room when Madison, Wis., native Hannah Rather found the back of the net following a Saenz corner in the 65th minute. The assist was Saenz' second on the day and team leading sixth on the year.

UCCS goalkeeper Jessica Taylor hauled in six saves on the way to earning her first win of the season.

"We came out knowing that we had to win to have any chance at playoffs still after the heartbreaking loss the other day. Being senior day and all, just the leadership came back around," said UCCS coach Nichole Ridenour. "All the seniors were very good in getting everybody motivated, playing our pace game, playing our game back to an attacking game and it really paid off."

The win ends a five-game winless streak for the Mountain Lions and comes against a Metro State team that is one of that best in the Rocky Mountain Athletic conference at 12-4-1 overall and 8-4-1 RMAC.

UCCS (8-7-1, 4-7-1 RMAC) has a very slim chance at making the RMAC playoffs still but will need a large amount of help from Colorado Mesa to do so.

Playoffs or not, this years senior class of eight can walk away victorious in their last ever home match. 

"I couldn't have asked for a better senior day, or senior game, it was awesome," said four-year starter Escobedo. "The team came together and we played as a team, we played for each other."