COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The No. 24 ranked University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's soccer team reminded everyone why they were the top ranked offense in the South Central Region in 2018 by defeating the Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaparrals 3-1 inside Mountain Lion Stadium on Friday night.
An aggressive Mountain Lion offense did not let up as UCCS out-shot LCU 14-4, with the Mountain Lions placing seven shots on frame compared to LCU's three. Sophomore
Savannah Mills led the way for UCCS with five shots, three shots on goal, one goal, and one assist for three points, as freshman
Gabriella Lancaster and junior captain
Tarah Patterson each netted a goal as well.
In what was a breezy and stormy night at Mountain Lion Stadium, UCCS wasted no time in the first half as they jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead at the 1:14 mark. A perfect cross from Mills on the right side of the box found a centered Lancaster who peppered the back of the net for her first goal as a Mountain Lion, and the first goal of the 2019 season.
The rest of the first half would go silent as the Mountain Lions' backline went to work and held LCU to only one shot in the first half. Senior
Aleesa Muir helped lead the defensive unit that allowed minimal scoring opportunities, as she played all 90 minutes for UCCS.
In the second half, Mills took over in the 46th minute as the sophomore forward sped past her defender on the right side to place a shot inside the far post for a 2-0 Mountain Lion lead. Later in the 61st minute, a Lady Chaparral slide tackle inside the box gave UCCS another scoring chance as Patterson delivered the third goal of the game off a penalty kick to increase the UCCS lead to 3-0.
LCU would not be shutout as Celia Duarte played a misdirection header off Allison Scott to head one of her own over the extended arms of
Mollee Swift for a perfectly placed goal in the 64
th minute.
The Lady Chaparrals held the advantage in saves 4-1 over UCCS, as the Mountain Lions came to top LCU 6-1 in corner kicks.
With the first game of the 2019 season officially in the books, the Mountain Lions will now turn their focus to regional opponent No. 10 West Texas A&M University. The Mountain Lions will host the Lady Buffs on Saturday, Sept. 7 for a 1 p.m. match inside Mountain Lion Stadium.
