COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Mountain Lion attack heated up inside Mountain Lion Stadium on Thursday as UCCS Women's Soccer erupted for six goals and preserved their fourth shutout of the season to capture a 6-0 victory over Western Colorado University to open conference play. UCCS was led by sophomore
Sydney Lasater who posted a new program record of four assists in a single game.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: WCU 0, UCCS 6
Records: UCCS (4-1-2, 0-0 RMAC), WCU (1-3-1, 0-0 CCAA)
Location: Mountain Lion Stadium | Colorado Springs, Colo.
Series: UCCS own a 12-2 all-time record against the Mountaineers and have extended their win streak to eight straight games.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• After two straight scoreless draws, the Mountain Lions showed how hungry they were to find the back of the net on Thursday as it took just shy of four minutes for UCCS to score the game's first goal. At 3:44
Sydney Lasater made one of many appearances on the stat sheet as the sophomore fed a 20-yard pass to
Kaitlin Hinkle in the top of the box that was chipped past the keeper for the 1-0 lead.
• Just 15 minutes later, UCCS produced a corner kick and received some help from the Mountaineers as Lasater placed the kick just inside the far post where a defender redirected it in for an own goal and 2-0 UCCS lead.
• As the Mountain Lions' offensive attack kept WCU on their heels, UCCS' defense put on a display of their own through the opening 45 minutes as the Mountain Lions locked the Mountaineers down to only three shots and no shots on goal.
• Before both teams headed into intermission, the Mountain Lions tacked on another score to secure a comfortable lead before halftime as a set piece from Lasater found a streaking
Kendal Smith in front of the net who buried UCCS' third goal at 44:05.
• In the second half, UCCS' offensive onslaught continued with Lasater tallying her third assist of the match after she connected with
Fabiola Estrada who worked the left side of frame at 54:11 for the 4-0 UCCS advantage.
• The momentum remained on the Mountain Lions' side with UCCS flipping the field on WCU once again as Hinkle received a cross from
Jael Larson on the right side of the field to garner her second goal of the match at 54:39.
• With a 5-0 lead in hand, Estrada and the Mountain Lions added one more score before claiming their first conference win as Lasater posted an impressive fourth assist of the day as Estrada registered her second goal to wrap a dominant 6-0 UCCS win.
STATS FROM THE DAY:
• UCCS more than doubled Western Colorado's shots on Thursday, 21-8, with the Mountain Lions landing 12 shots on goal to WCU's one.
• Posting a game-high five shots was
Makayla Merlo with
Fabiola Estrada registering all three of her shots on frame.
• Three Mountain Lions walked away from Thursday's contest with a stellar four points as Sydeney Lasater recorded all four points off four assists as
Kaitlin Hinkle and
Fabiola Estrada each recorded a brace.
• Annie Louthan and Merlo helped keep the Mountaineers in check and helped maintain offensive momentum by turning in a full 90 minutes.
• Alexis Walker assisted in locking the Mountaineers down to one shot on goal as she registered one save and her fourth shutout of the season.
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Sydney Lasater sets the program record for most assists in a single match (four).
• Thursday's 6-0 win marked the second time that the Mountain Lions have scored six goals with Head Coach
J. B. Belzer at the helm (Apr. 20, 2021 vs. Adams State University).
• Kaitlin Hinkle moves to fourth all-time in goals in program history (22).
• Kendal Smith and
Fabiola Estrada notch their first collegiate goals as Mountain Lions.
• UCCS has won their conference opener for the 11
th consecutive season.
• Makayla Merlo ties her career-high in shots (five) for the third time.
UP NEXT
UCCS Women's Soccer will be back in action on Sunday, Sep. 18 as they take on Fort Lewis College at home with the match slated to begin at 2:30 p.m.
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.
