GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's soccer team's historic 2023 season ends in a one-nil loss to Point Loma Nazarene University in the NCAA Division II Quarterfinal.
INSIDE THE MATCH UP
Final: UCCS 0, PLNU 1
Records: UCCS 15-5-3 (10-1-1 RMAC), PLNU 14-3-1 (8-2 PacWest)
Location: Community Hospital Unity Field | Grand Junction, Colo.
Series: UCCS and PLNU each have a 1-1 record in the all-time series between the programs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UCCS began the game with the upper-hand, as the Sea Lions struggled to find possession in the opening minutes of play. The Mountain Lions pace kept the pressure on the Sea Lion's half, but the Mountain Lions could not capitalize on their early opportunities.
- Point Loma would find their first scoring opportunity in the ninth minute, and they would not miss it. A centered ball leaked into the Mountain Lions' penalty area and was headed by UCCS center-back Jade Kinsey but would pop straight up in the air, when it returned to the field Mountain Lion keeper Isabella Whitmore would punch it away from the frame. Unfortunately for UCCS, Sea Lion forward Bethany Arabe was waiting for it, playing it past Whitmore and the UCCS defense for the score.
- The Mountain Lions wouldn't give up after the early goal, going back to work on the attack. Just two minutes after Point Loma claimed the lead, Senior Kaitlin Hinkle would park herself out front, waiting for a pass from Sydney Lasater from the left wing. When the pass came, Hinkle shot it for the right post, but Point Loma keeper Julia Pinnell made the diving stop and jumped on the rebound to erase the opportunity.
- The Mountain Lions would again be pressuring the Sea Lion net in the 17th minute, as a Hazel Wright corner kick would be cleared out, but returned to a dangerous area by Sela Freeman who was the lone defender back. Fie Steenberg took control on the left sideline and dribbled near the top of the penalty area when she took her shot. The chance hit off the inside of the Sea Lion's net, out of the reach of a diving Pinnell, but would bounce parallel to the goal line and stay out. Kaitlin Hinkle tried to track down the rebound, but couldn't catch up with PLNU able to breathe a sigh of relief.
- Despite the Mountain Lion's momentum, they were not able to find the net in the first half, with the Sea Lions weathering the storm and holding on to the lead into the half.
- The second half got underway, and Point Loma returned looking like a rejuvenated team. With the newfound energy, the Sea Lions began to beat the Mountain Lions to the loose balls.
- The Mountain Lions though would not go down quietly. Bringing on several changes, J. B. Belzer switched out his veteran forwards for freshman speedsters Ciara Garcia and Luka Johnson. Right away the move looked like it would pay out for the UCCS skipper, but timely defense from PLNU defenders kept the Mountain Lion opportunities away from the net.
- With time running out on UCCS, a foul was called against the Sea Lions about fifteen yards into the Sea Lion's half. Trying to use a quick restart to the Mountain Lions advantage, Kinsey fired it into the Point Loma wall. The late opportunities wouldn't fall for UCCS, as their historic season concluded Saturday night.
STATS FROM THE DAY
- The Mountain Lions and Sea Lions drew the shots category with 11 attempts each, with UCCS finding frame five times to the Sea Lions three.
- Point Loma tightened their defense in the second half, with UCCS not landing a shot on goal in the final 45 minutes.
- The Sea Lions narrowly claimed the possession advantage with 51% on the game.
- The whistle was a regular sound on the pitch tonight with the Mountain Lions committing 13 fouls and the Sea Lions committing 17.
- UCCS earned six corner kicks, while Point Loma earned four.
BEYOND THE BOX
- UCCS completes the 2023 season with a 15-5-3 record, capturing the second South Central Region Title in program history.
- Point Loma takes revenge on UCCS who defeated PLNU 2-1 in September.
- The Mountain Lions qualified for the National Quarterfinals for just the second time ever in 2023.
- With the win Point Loma extends their win streak to nine straight, they have not allowed a goal in the NCAA Championship Tournament.
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.
