DENVER, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's soccer team remains undefeated in RMAC play as their second half rally earns the draw against Regis University in Denver.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: UCCS 2, RU 2
Records: UCCS 8-2-3 (6-0-1 RMAC), RU 10-3-1 (6-1-1 RMAC)
Location: Regis Turf Fields | Denver, Colo.
Series: UCCS and Regis tie for the first time in the matchup's history, with the all-time series moving to 7-11-1 for UCCS.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mountain Lions and Rangers would be locked at 0-0 for much of the first half, with UCCS holding possession for the majority of the first 30 minutes of play. Despite the Mountain Lions having the possession advantage, the Rangers would take advantage in the 35th minute when Sarah Wynn sent a pass over the head of a diving Isabella Whitmore, and right to Jillian Skurcenski at the back post. With Whitmore down and out, Skurcenski easily tapped it in to put the Rangers on the board first.
- With the halftime whistle looming, Regis wasn't ready to go into the locker room with just one goal, as they added to their lead with just seven seconds left in the first half. Again, it was Wynn who won the ball on the near sideline, and served it to the middle, this time finding Cadence Fisher who lobbed it into the left side of the net to double the advantage for the Rangers. The remaining seconds ticked off after the restarting kickoff, and the teams parted for the half with the Rangers with the 2-0 lead.
- UCCS came back out from the recess on a mission, and it only took about eight minutes to get on the board for the first time in the game. A Regis foul gave the Mountain Lions a free kick about ten yards from midfield, as Jade Kinsey trotted over to take the kick. She serviced a chance just short of the far post that redirected off a Regis defender, and right into the wheelhouse of senior Abby Barhydt, who rifled a shot into the net, cutting the lead to one goal.
- UCCS kept the pressure up the field while they buckled down defensively, holding the Rangers to sparse opportunities in the latter half. That pressure would pay off in the 79th minute. UCCS' initial offensive build up was punched out for a throw in on the near side, but the Mountain Lions wouldn't be denied. Working the ball around to the opposite sideline through their defensive corps, Nanea Wong Yuen's jump-ball pass landed in the lap of Kelsey Takahashi who finished on the ground out of Regis keeper Grace Glover's reach and equalized for UCCS.
- The Rangers would respond with several dangerous opportunities in the final three minutes, but UCCS' defenders stayed in form through the full-time whistle, earning the tie.
STATS FROM THE DAY
- Seven of the eleven Mountain Lion starters did not leave the pitch, playing all 90 minutes.
- UCCS fired nine shots in both halves, outshooting the rangers 18-7 in the game. Both teams had six shots on goal, with four saves each.
- Both of the Rangers goals came from substitutions. None of the Rangers starting eleven found the scoresheet.
- Fie Steenberg, Emily Aguilar, and Kelsey Takahashi were all tied for the UCCS shots lead, each with three.
BEYOND THE BOX
- First time ever that UCCS and Regis have tied a women's soccer match, this was the 19th meeting between the two programs.
- Regis is the first team to score on UCCS in conference play, as UCCS held a 14-0 goal differential in RMAC matches before Regis' first half goals.
- The Mountain Lions extend their unbeaten streak to their last 10 matches, with a Sept. 7th loss to Western Oregon being the last match in which they did not earn a point.
- UCCS improves to 3-1-3 in away matches.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions return to Colorado Springs on Thursday when they take on Colorado Mesa University at Mountain Lion Stadium at 5 p.m. for the annual Storm the Stadium match.
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 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.