COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's soccer team opened the RMAC Women's Soccer Tournament with a dominant quarterfinal victory over the Westminster University Griffins.
INSIDE THE MATCH-UP
Final: UCCS 3, WU 1
Records: #2 UCCS (14-3-2, 9-2-1 RMAC), # 7 WU (7-6-4, 4-4-4 RMAC)
Facility: Mountain Lion Stadium | Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: With today's victory over Westminster the Mountain Lions move to 12-4-2 all-time against the Griffins.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mountain Lions scored first, in the 15th minute when a shot from Abby Stassi, that was blocked by a Griffins defender, ended right on the foot of Sophia Broberg, giving her a chance to launch the ball past the Westminster goalkeeper and into the left side of the net.
- UCCS had another scoring opportunity in the 30th minute as the ball bounced around in the box, before Brooke Pavlich put a shot towards the net that was saved, leading to a UCCS corner kick. On the ensuing corner Elise Broberg sent the ball straight into the box, before it was punched up by the Griffins goalkeeper. Taylynn Levi positioned herself directly under the ball and headed it into the net and put the Mountain Lions up 2-0.
- The Griffins scored in the 53rd minute as Skye Kennedy sent a crosser into the box, that Natalie Cardin headed over a diving Lucy Kapranos and cut the UCCS lead to 2-1.
- The Griffins got another scoring opportunity moments later in the 56th minute after a breakaway lead to a yellow card on Kapranos for a reckless tackle as she tried to snuff out the scoring chance. The ensuing free kick came from right above the box and was blocked by the Mountain Lion wall.
- The Westminster goalie, Marin MacKenzie, made an incredible save in the 57th minute as S. Broberg unleashed a shot a few feet in front of MacKenzie that led to a corner kick. The Mountain Lions put the corner into the net. However, the goal was called off for a foul.
- In the 74th minute Stassi drew a foul in the box, setting up a penalty kick for herself that beat the goalkeeper, who guessed correctly, but the ball rocketed off the post. In the 75th minute Stassi had another chance with a shot with MacKenzie running in on her, which was saved with an incredible effort from the goalkeeper. Moments later Stassi finally found the back of the net, burying an incredible sliding shot into the top right corner, and made the UCCS lead 3-1.
- UCCS stayed on the attack despite their two-goal lead, but could not score another goal, as they closed out their 3-1 victory.
STATS FROM THE GAME
- Stassi and Levi lead the way for the Mountain Lions, both notching a goal and assist. Stassi also led the Mountain Lions with shots (6) and shots on target (3).
- Kapranos made one save and allowed one goal on her way to picking up her first career postseason victory.
- MacKenzie saved seven shots from the Mountain Lions, putting in an incredible effort for the Griffins despite the loss.
- The Mountain Lions recorded more shots (19-9), shots on target (11-2) and more corners (13-0) than the Griffins, adding to their dominate win.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Stassi's 76th minute goal was her 11th of the season, and 30th of her career, which puts her in a tie with Kaitlin Hinkle for second all-time in program history. Stassi's three points also put her in second all-time in points with 72 on her career.
- Stassi also notched her 30th point of the season, joining Brooke Pavlich as the Mountain Lions 30 points scorers, becoming the first duo in program history to share 30-point seasons.
- Levi notched her seventh assist of the season and 18th of her career, which puts her in a tie for third all-time in program history with Fie Steenberg.
UP NEXT
- UCCS will head to the RMAC semifinal, hosted by Regis University at RU Turf Fiels in Denver, Colo. They await the winner of #3 Colorado School of Mines and #6 Black Hills State. The match is set to take place at 4 p.m. (MT) on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Stay tuned to gomountainlions.com for updates on the next opponent.
SOCIAL
X –
@GoMountainLions
Instagram –
@gomountainlions
Facebook – /
GoMountainLions
For everything UCCS Athletics, follow the Mountain Lions on social media and stay tuned to
gomountainlions.com.
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.
