MSU Denver MSD (10-3-4, 6-2-3)

Fort Lewis FLC (6-10-1, 5-6-0)

MSU Denver MSD

(10-3-4, 6-2-3)

Final

Oct. 23, 2022

Fort Lewis FLC

(6-10-1, 5-6-0)

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
MSU Denver MSD	0	0	0
Fort Lewis FLC	1	0	1

Summary
Box Score

Hayden Mangan, Fort Lewis Athletic Communications

Madyson Barela, Katie Dunbabin, Meredith Satre, and McKenna Thompson were honored on Senior Day

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | 10/23/2022 5:30:00 PM | Angela Roberts, Assistant AD - Communications

PK strike secures senior day shutout

DURANGO, Colo. – Blustering conditions did little to slow the Skyhawks on Sunday afternoon as the women's soccer team battled to a 1-0 win over MSU Denver on senior day. The win sets up a decisive match versus Western Colorado University to close out the regular season on Wednesday with the winner earning an automatic spot in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament.

Prior to the match, Fort Lewis honored its four graduating seniors: Madyson Barela, Katie Dunbabin, Meredith Satre, and McKenna Thompson.

Fort Lewis improves to 6-10-1 overall and 5-6-0 in the league with just a Wednesday match versus Western Colorado University remaining on the schedule. MSU Denver drops to 10-3-4 on the season and 6-2-3 in the RMAC—ranking fifth in the conference with one match to go.

"This was a super gutsy performance. MSU Denver is a quality program that had us on our heels for a big portion of today's match," said head coach Damian Clarke. "Our goal this year was to make Dirks Field a difficult place to get a win for our opponents, and the 6-1-1 home record proves that we've accomplished that."

After playing even in the opening half, the Roadrunners went on to hold a 22-8 advantage in shots for the match. It was a physical match right from the jump and the teams went on to rack up 34 total fouls and three yellow cards. Senior Madyson Barela scored her second goal in as many matches, hitting the game-winner on a penalty kick. The goal was Barela's team-leading fourth of the season.

Cecelia Marlowe, Elizabeth David, and Rachel Peebles each played the full 90 minutes on defense and were instrumental in the team's shutout effort. In addition to the defenders showing out in front of the home crowd, Katie Dunbabin played 90 minutes at goal for the first time this season. The senior tied a season-high with nine saves in her sixth career shutout.

The Roadrunners tested Dunbabin early in the match, connecting on a pair of shots on target in the first two minutes of play. The first came on a manageable free kick from 30 yards out, followed by a crossing strike from the right side that dribbled into Dunbabin's awaiting arms. Fort Lewis saw its first opportunity of the afternoon when a free kick off the foot of David found the head of McKenna Ford. Ford directed the ball over her right shoulder, but the keeper made a move low left to knock the attempt away.

From there, the physicality of both squads was on full display. Seven fouls were called over the ensuing 12 minutes of play, one of which led to the Skyhawks' eventual game-winner. Barela found herself taking a corner kick in the 24^th minute and looked to have scored right then and there, but a flag from the official stopped play as the three refs huddled to talk it over. The result of the conversation was a penalty kick chance with a handball being called on an MSU Denver player. Barela was called on to finish what she started, and the senior buried a left-footed shot low left for a 1-0 score.

The Roadrunners started to settle and pressure the Fort Lewis defenders in the final 15 minutes of the half. The visitors saw a prime opportunity in the 32^nd minute when Jaimy Sawaged found herself battling Marlowe just five feet to the right of goal. Dunbabin, sensing a shot on deck, charged the pair and made a sprawling save to bring on a set piece for MSU Denver. The corner kick chance rattled around a pair of Roadrunners, eventually resulting in a bouncing shot through traffic which was directed by Dunbabin.

The half wrapped up with what looked to be a chance to double the lead when Julia Johnson sent a pinpoint cross into the box. The pass connected with the head of Rozlin Gomez who directed it near post, but a highlight save from MSU Denver's Kylie Bach held the lead at one. The teams played even in the final two minutes of the half with the score sitting at 1-0.

MSU Denver came out of the break on a mission and controlled possession through the first 15 minutes of play. The visitors sent the half's first shot on goal in the 64^th minute but Dunbabin was there for her fifth save of the afternoon. The Roadrunners picked up a yellow card for encroachment in the 70^th minute to set up a free kick for David from distance. After a pause in action, the sophomore booted a dangerous shot just right of the post.

As many closely contested matches do, the final 10 minutes of play gave fans something to cheer about. MSU Denver started to scramble and picked up a trio of corner kick chances in the final minutes of play. As they had been all match, the Skyhawks' defenders maintained poise to hold the 1-0 advantage.

Dunbabin was tested for the final time in the 89^th minute when a pair of shots in the box were redirected by the keeper and sliding defenders. Peebles made a key play with under one minute to play when the freshman won the ball on a scramble outside of the box and sent it past midfield to burn time. The Roadrunners had one more opportunity in the match as Riley Ostler lined up for a blistering shot that just missed wide right. Fort Lewis took its time with a pair of throw-ins and secured the 1-0 win.

For Fort Lewis, it will all come down to Wednesday's match versus Western Colorado University. A win will secure a spot in the RMAC Tournament, and anything else will leave the team's fate in the hands of CSU Pueblo who faces off against UCCS on Wednesday evening. Western Colorado is 6-10-1 on the year and 4-7 in league play after claiming a 2-1 win over Black Hills State this afternoon.

If this storyline sounds familiar, it's because it played out in similar fashion last season. The Skyhawks went into the regular-season finale needing a win to secure the No. 8 seed and did just that with a 1-0 decision over the Mountaineers. The game-winner came from former RMAC Defensive Player of the Year Katie Smith to advance the team to postseason play.

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