Box Score DENVER, Colo. – Fifth seed Fort Lewis College travelled to fourth seed Metro State Wednesday afternoon to defeat the Roadrunners in the first round of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament, 4-1.  It was the third meeting between the two teams and the first win for the Skyhawks against Metro State.
 
"It was a really miserable windy day here and it was hard to get going in the first half," said Fort Lewis College head men's soccer coach Oige Kennedy.  "Once we scored we had a spark and looked confident and very good going forward in the second half."
 
With 21 minutes left in regulation, Tamino Kroeger scored his seventh goal in three games and the third straight goal for the Skyhawks to tie the game at 1-1.  Kroeger's goal came via Luke Lawrence to Alberto Capdepon to Kroeger who struck from 18 yards out.  Two minutes later, Capdepon netted the game-winning goal – his third of the season – from 30 yards out on a free kick.  Lawrence tallied the Skyhawks third goal in six minutes off of Kroeger's assist.  Lawrence shot from inside of the box to boost FLC's lead to 3-1.  Artur Piperkov sealed the win with only 25 seconds left in regulation when he found the back of the net after taking a shot in the Skyhawks half of the field.  Trevor Gibbons chased down the goalkeeper who then cleared the ball and left his box.  Pieperkov took one shot that sailed into goal before MSUD's goalie could return to his post.
 
The win improves the Skyhawks overall record to 11-7-1, while Metro State moves to 10-6-3.  The Skyhawks outshot Metro State, 17-11 overall.  Ryan Pakieser made six saves to improve to 4-2-0 on the year.
 
With the win, the Skyhawks will face top seed Regis University on Friday at 2 p.m.  Fans can listen to Terry Spriggs and Brian Fredrick call the game on KIUP 930 AM or www.radiodurango.com.