November 4th, 2009.  Durango, CO. -  The Fort Lewis Women's Soccer team had nothing but good things go there way today. Not only did the Skyhawks defeat UCCS 3-0 earlier today in the 1st round of the RMAC Tournament but they learned earlier today that Coach Damian Clarke was named RMAC Coach of the Year, Nichole Kluk was named RMAC Defensive Player of the Year and several other Hawks' players were named to 1st, 2nd and 3rd team All-RMAC. The Skyhawks now advance on to the 2nd round of the RMAC Tournament hosted by Metro State to take on #2 seeded Colorado Mines.

Fort Lewis made quick work of the Mountain Lions earlier today, scoring all three goals within four minutes of each other in the first half. The first 25 minutes showed an aggressive UCCS squad as they took the first shot of the game but that was as aggressive as they would get. In the 29th minute freshman Ashley Kniffen received a pass and dribbled towards the box where she layed a perfect pass to Hayley Hollenga who went one on one with the keeper and slid a shot past the keeper for the game winning goal and 1-0 lead. The next goal came a minute later when Samantha Smith controlled a loose ball, turned and fired a shot into the far left post making it 2-0. One more goal to go which happened only two minutes later when Jamie MacArthur took a shot from the top of the box which bounced off a UCCS defender and rolled to the feet of Torrey Larson who unloaded a shot from the right side which flew past the keeper into the net for the final goal of the game and 3-0 lead.

The second half went back and forth between teams. Fort Lewis raveled off six shots while the Mountain Lions took three more shots in the second half. Many Skyhawk reserves saw time in the secnod half including a goalie substitution. 

Fort Lewis finshed the game with 14 shots to UCCS's five shots. MacArthur led with 3 shots. Christine Schmelzle recorded one save and earned yet another shutout. Fort Lewis improves to 17-2-2 overall and will head up to Denver, CO to take on Colorado Mines in the 2nd round of the RMAC Tournament on Friday at 2:30 pm. If they win that game they will play the winner of Metro State and Regis University on Sunday.