COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's soccer team grabbed their first home win this season with a final score of 3-1, in an explosive second period performance.
In a scoreless first period, it would be all UCCS as they out-shot Fort Hays State 9 to 0 with five shots on goal. But FHSU goalkeeper Megan Kneeful would keep UCCS out of goal with a strong five save performance to end the first period.
Despite the Mountain Lions placing two quick shots in goal within the first six minutes of the second period, it was the Tigers who would strike first. FHSU recovered off a
Savannah Mills shot and worked their way to the Mountain Lions' side of the field where Chloe Montano placed a pass from 25 yards out to be tapped into the left side of goal by Cailey Perkins for a 1-0 lead in the 53
rd minute.
The Tigers carried the lead up until the 75
th minute, where FHSU goalkeeper Kneeful faded up towards the top of the box to block a
Fabiola Estrada shot, but a trailing
Tarah Patterson recorded her first goal of the season as she placed a header over Kneeful to tie the match 1-1. Sophomore
Tarah Patterson wasn't done there, as she was fouled and granted a penalty kick in the 80
th minute. UCCS would grab the lead 2-1 with a successful Patterson penalty kick as she striped one into the heart of the net to mark her second of the game.
Shortly after, UCCS put the pressure on once again as sophomore
Caitlin Esterle placed a shot towards the inside right post where a diving Kneeful saved and redirected the ball out front of goal. UCCS played off of the redirection as Ameila Junge was there to find the left side of the goal in the 82nd minute to record her first goal of the season. The Mountain Lions' lead would increase to 3-1 and remain there at the end of regulation.
UCCS out-shot Fort Hays State 20 to 3, with Tigers' goalkeeper Kneeful recording 10 saves.
The Mountain Lions will be on a week break as they take on Colorado State University- Pueblo in a home matchup Friday, Sep. 14 at 7:30 p.m.