Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Fort Lewis College Athletics

Scoreboard

Wamboldt10.27
Brandon Leimbach, FLC Director of Athletics
FLC senior Courtney Wamboldt (No. 8) heads in the game-tying goal during Sunday's 3-2 victory over Colorado Mesa.
2
Colorado Mesa CMU (8-6-1, 6-5-1)
3
Winner Fort Lewis FLC (5-6-3, 4-4-3)
Colorado Mesa CMU
(8-6-1, 6-5-1)
2
Final
3
Fort Lewis FLC
(5-6-3, 4-4-3)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Colorado Mesa CMU 0 2 0 2
Fort Lewis FLC 1 1 1 3

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | David Wilson, Assistant AD-Communications

Seniors shine in 3-2 overtime victory against Colorado Mesa

DURANGO, Colorado — Prior to the start of Sunday's RMAC showdown between the Fort Lewis College women's soccer team and rivals Colorado Mesa University, the Skyhawks honored eight of their graduating seniors.

The senior class took care of the rest, guiding the Skyhawks to a 3-2, come-from-behind overtime victory over the Mavericks during in their final regular season appearance on Dirks Field.

Sunday's victory was a crucial one for Fort Lewis (5-6-3 overall, 4-4-3 RMAC) as it chases the eighth and final playoff spot for the RMAC Tournament. With the six-point weekend, the Skyhawks now sit in ninth place just one point back of Colorado Mesa (8-6-1 overall, 5-5-1 RMAC).

"We were just resilient. It's easy to start sulking when you go down 2-1 late in the second half, but our senior kids showed some resolve, showed their heart and came up big," said Fort Lewis head women's soccer coach, Damian Clarke.

Fort Lewis received two goals from its elder statesmen on Sunday, including a game-tying header from Courtney Wamboldt, set up by the free kick played into the box by fellow senior Britney Johnson. Wamboldt was able to elevate and wedge her header between the crossbar and outstretched fingertips of CMU goalkeeper Kamrie Gunderson with 48 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 2-2.

The goal was the first of the season for Wamboldt, who added to her special day by assisting on the Skyhawks' game-winning goal, cashed in by freshman Ashley Strader in the 96th minute of overtime.

"Courtney Wamboldt isn't a kid who is desperate to head the ball, but she was desperate to win a game. That was massive," Clarke jested. "She's a kid who has been fighting all year long to start. For her to be a senior playing her last game on Dirks Field to end like that; what an awesome memory for her and all of her senior friends."

The Skyhawks were energized and ready from the opening kickoff, taking an early 1-0 advantage via a penalty kick goal from senior Bailey Webster a mere 46 seconds into the contest.

It was the second goal of the season for Webster, who transferred to spend her senior season in Durango after two seasons at the University of New Mexico.

Getting off to a fast start was a crucial piece on Sunday as the Skyhawks are now 5-0 this season when they score first.

"Even though we found ourselves behind there (in the second half), I think that first goal was the difference in being confident enough to know that you can go out and score a goal," Clarke said. "(Bailey) earned that. She cut the ball back well and got plowed over, so it was a well-earned PK."

Colorado Mesa would battle back to tie the game in the 49th minute, and briefly surged ahead on the second goal of the game for Alexis Allard as the clock hit the 80:02 mark. They were the only two blemishes against freshman goalkeeper Katherine Dunbabin, who recorded four saves in the victory. 

The late dramatics from the Mavericks became a mute point, setting the stage for Wamboldt's heroics in the final minute of regulation and opening the door for Strader to net her second career goal just 5:35 into the first overtime period.

It was the second straight game with a goal for Strader, who has continued to shine since her move up top from her original defensive position.

"(Strader) is tremendous. Us being brave enough to get her out of the back as a coaching staff has completely influenced the results over the last two weeks," Clarke said.

Fort Lewis will now turn its attention toward a crucial final weekend of the regular season, with matchups against Colorado State University-Pueblo (6 p.m. Friday) and New Mexico Highlands University (11 a.m. Sunday).

CSU-Pueblo currently holds the fifth spot in the RMAC standings with a record of 6-7-2 overall and 5-4-2 in the RMAC, while New Mexico Highlands is in 14th at 1-13 overall, 1-11 RMAC.

With their playoff destiny firmly in their hands, Clarke said he and his team only have one thought in mind heading into next weekend.

"We're getting into the RMAC Tournament," Clarke grinned. "That's what we're doing."
 
Print Friendly Version