COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – No. 10 University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's soccer advances to the RMAC Semifinal for the fifth straight year after edging out Metropolitan State University of Denver at a final score of 1-0.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: MSUD 0, #10 UCCS 1
Records: UCCS (16-3, 10-2 RMAC), CSUP (9-6-2, 7-5 RMAC)
Tournament Seedings: (#2) UCCS, (#7) MSUD
Location: Mountain Lion Stadium | Colorado Springs, Colo.
Series: UCCS extends their win streak to eight games against MSU Denver as the Mountain Lions hold an 8-9-1 all-time record.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The first half was filled with stellar defensive play from both sides as a scoreless half was backed by a combined six shots recorded with four of those coming off the foot of the Mountain Lions. All six shots were registered in the first 21 minutes of the game as the Mountain Lions and Roadrunners each notched one shot on goal for the half.
• In the second half, the Mountain Lions' offense started off fast with a
Kaitlin Hinkle shot on goal that nearly found the back of the net as MSU Denver keeper Kayla Caballero made a sliding kick save to maintain the scoreless tie at 48:06.
• UCCS fired off three more strikes on Caballero before the Mountain Lions found their opportunity in the 66
th minute with captain
Ella Fischer netting her second goal of the season. After head Coach
J. B. Belzer went to the bench in the 64
th minute, freshman
Jadyn LeDoux came on to give the Mountain Lions the spark they needed as she found Fischer at the top of the box who landed a right-footed strike across frame for the 1-0 lead.
• With their back against the wall, MSU Denver went on the attack to fire off the game's next eight shots but
Alexis Walker along with the UCCS backline would not fold. The Roadrunners' landed two of those shots on goal with Walker bagging both saves, including a diving save in the 70
th minute that kept MSU Denver from tying the game as the Mountain Lions' claimed the 1-0 victory.
STATS FROM THE DAY:
• The Roadrunners' held the advantage in shots (14-10) and corner kicks (5-2) as UCCS led in shots on goal, 5-4
• Midfielder
Ella Fischer nets the game-winner after recording a game high two shots on goal and playing 86 minutes in the win.
• UCCS had four Mountain Lions play the full 90 with
Katie Puchino,
Zoe Sims,
Jade Kinsey, and
Makayla Merlo not leaving the pitch.
• Goalkeeper
Alexis Walker registers four saves and notches her third shutout while also improving her record to 5-0 on the season.
BEYOND THE BOX:
• UCCS advances to the RMAC Semifinal match for the fifth consecutive season.
• Ella Fischer has found the back of the net twice this season with both goals going down as game-winners. She also becomes the 11
th Mountain Lion to register more than one goal this season.
• Sunday's game marks just the third time this season that UCCS has been limited to one goal.
• The Mountain Lions have posted a shutout win in the RMAC Tournament three times in the last two years.
• Both Colorado Mesa University and Regis University won their quarterfinal matchups on Sunday as Regis will now head to Grand Junction, Colo. to take on CMU in the semifinals.
UP NEXT:
• No. 10 UCCS will now host the Orediggers of Colorado School of Mines on Wednesday, Nov. 7 for the RMAC Semifinal at 5 p.m. inside Mountain Lion Stadium.
SOCIAL:
Twitter - @GoMountainLions
Instagram - @gomountainlions
Facebook – Go Mountain Lions
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 16 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
