Box Score

PUEBLO, Colo. – The CSU-Pueblo women's soccer team (3-2 overall, 1-0 RMAC) defeated No. 10 Fort Lewis College 2-1 at the Rawlings Sports Complex tonight in a night of firsts for the ThunderWolves.

The win marked their first-ever over a ranked opponent, the largest crowd ever to watch a women's soccer game at CSU-Pueblo's home pitch (427) and the first-ever night game in ThunderWolves history.

“Physically, [CSU-Pueblo] just absolutely dominated,” said fourth-year FLC head coach Damian Clarke.

After slow starts in the past several games, Fort Lewis (4-1, 0-1) came out raced out of the starting gate. “We came out and played very, very well for about 15 minutes and it looked like we were going to do some damage,” said Clarke. “We just didn't finish out chances.”

Senior Katie Thiebaut gave the Pueblo faithful something to get excited about in the 20th minute, though, firing a near-perfect strike that clanked off the post. Eight minutes later, she didn't miss. Taking a deflection off of Skyhawk goalkeeper Christine Schmelzle, Thiebaut fired the rebound into the back of the net to give CSUP a 1-0 lead at 27:45.

“Katie Thiebaut got through the back four and finished a one-on-one opportunity,” said Clarke.

The lead was short-lived, though, as Taylor Tegtmeyer fired a clean strike to the upper left corner of the net to level the score at 1-1 at 35:07. For the freshman from Chandler, Ariz., it marked her first collegiate goal.

“Taylor stole the ball from one of their defenders and made a great finish,” said Clarke.

But Thiebaut wasn't finished. Just seven minutes into the second half, she lifted a floater over Schmelzle to give the ThunderWolves a 2-1 lead at 52:13 – one they wouldn't relinquish. The goal wasn't without some controversy, as some on the FLC bench thought that CSU-Pueblo may have benefited from a hand ball. Clarke didn't attribute the loss to a missed call, though.

“They were very, very tough today,” he said, complimenting the ThunderWolves for their coaching and play on the pitch.

In addition to Thiebaut's heroics, CSU-Pueblo received strong play from its goalkeeper, Savannah Thompson, who made 10 saves, including one on the red-hot Hayley Hollenga with 30 seconds remaining. Hollenga had scored game-winning goals in each of FLC's past three games.

Schmelzle stopped six shots for FLC.

The Skyhawks continue their two-game road trip to Nebraska-Kearney (4-1, 1-0) at noon (MDT) Sunday at Foster Field.