Box Score

DURANGO, Colo. – Three players scored goals as the defending NCAA Division II champion Fort Lewis College men's soccer team (8-4-0 overall, 7-1-0 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) defeated UC-Colorado Springs (1-9-1, 1-6-1) 3-0 today at Dirks Field.

“It was a good first half performance, but probably not where it needs to be for the second half,” said second-year FLC head coach Oige Kennedy. “We got the result and created a lot of chances, but probably could have scored a lot more if we took a more clinical approach in front of the goal.”

Joe Barnd got the scoring started at 25:25 when he launched a 12-yard shot from the right side of the box toward the far post that easily beat UCCS goalkeeper Brandon Costa. Barnd's goal — his team-leading fifth of the season — was assisted by Thomas Hoang.

Less than eight minutes later, Keane Hamilton slid a shot past Costa just inside the left post at 33:24. Hamilton's strike was set up by Cory Dean.

The first half saw the Skyhawks outshoot the Mountain Lions 15-4 overall, 5-1 in shots on goal.

The second frame saw a bit of a letdown by Fort Lewis, but one scoring chance stood out.

Joey Madigan collected a pass from Abdel Becerra near the top of the box and used some crafty footwork to sidestep a UCCS defender before depositing his shot into the back of the net for his third marker of the 2010 campaign.

“Joey's goal was special,” said Kennedy. “He shows he has great balance and is able to control the ball with both feet. He was cool under pressure.”

The Skyhawk skipper thinks goals for the rest of his side are coming.

“Their work rate is great and they keep creating chances,” he said. “If they get a little lucky, they'll start scoring more goals.”

Costa stopped four shots for the Mountain Lions, while his FLC counterpart, Kamran Khyltash, made two saves while notching his first complete-game shutout of the season.

Fort Lewis concludes its five-game homestand when it hosts Mesa State (6-5-2, 2-5-2) at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Dirks Field. Then it's off to Denver for a pair of games against two nationally-ranked foes: No. 6 Metro State (8-2-2, 5-1-2) at 3:30 p.m. Friday and No. 17 Regis (8-1-2, 4-1-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The Skyhawks defeated Metro State 3-2 in overtime two days ago. Sunday's game against the Rangers is the only regular-season meeting between the two teams this year.