DURANGO, Colo. – It definitely felt like fall throughout the game between the Fort Lewis College women's soccer team and MSU Denver. With temperatures hovering around the high 40's, low 50's and rain, the two teams battled into overtime before the Roadrunners claimed the 1-0 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Sunday at Dirks Field.
MSU Denver (8-3-1, 6-2 RMAC) took plenty of shots, firing 19 at net, but only eight ended up on goal. FLC (4-6-1, 3-4 RMAC) countered with a shot in the first and second half and then another in the overtime, landing two on goal.
The Skyhawks had a great chance right away, following a corner kick by Emma Patron, FLC later had a strong rush after the ball was pushed back out to midfield and drew a foul. The infraction occurred just outside the box and Britney Johnson took the free kick and fired it right on net, but Erica Torres made the save.
The Roadrunners then generated several chances, getting a few blocked before a couple ended up on net that were saved by Britt Blomso. MSU Denver had one last flurry late in the half off a corner kick, but the header shot went wide leaving the game scoreless at halftime.
After another couple of big saves by Blomso and later Kaylee Mickens, the Skyhawks began to turn the field over the final 10 minutes and bring the pressure on MSU Denver. With under six minutes to go, Skylar Byrnes nearly delivered the go-ahead goal, but her shot was robbed by Torres to keep the game scoreless and into OT.
In the overtime, Patron had a corner kick and Courtney Wamboldt later got a shot off the corner, but it was blocked just over five minutes in. Right after that, Reigna Banks took over, as she drilled from about midfield and worked her way to the right outside of the box and fired a low shot into the left corner for the game-winning goal at the 96:54 mark to give MSU Denver the 1-0 victory.
Blomso played the first 46:49 of the game and made two saves, while Mickens went the final 49:35 and recorded five saves.
Gabriella Gamboa and Luna Garcia led the Roadrunners with five shots apiece, while in net, Torres made two saves.
FLC will now hit the road as they will travel to Utah to face Westminster on Friday starting at 4 p.m. in Salt Lake City. They will close the trip on Sunday at noon against Dixie State in St. George.
