Fort Lewis College Athletics

Thomas Kirkham vs. Montana State Billings

Thomas Kirkham (18) races up the line against the Yellow Jackets on Dirks Field (Sep. 21, 2024)

Skyhawks remain prominent on national poll

9/24/2024 3:00:00 PM

By: Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement

DURANGO, Colo. – Following a pair of draws with Simon Fraser (1-3-2) and Montana State Billings (1-2-3), the Fort Lewis College men's soccer team (3-0-3) checked in at No. 18 on the latest edition of the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll.

The Skyhawks kicked off last week with a 1-1 tie with Simon Fraser. After overcoming a slow, defensive first half, Fort Lewis burst out of the half with offensive pressure that led to 25 total shots in the contest. In the 63^rd minute, it was freshman Theo Bergman who registered his first career goal with a quick right-footed strike near the penalty line to equalize.

Later in the week, FLC once again got off to a slow yet steady start against MSU Billings. Following a 0-0 score at the half, the Yellow Jackets quickly found themselves up 2-0 with 32 minutes remaining after a pair of scores on defensive miscues from the Skyhawks. As time wound down, Fabrizio Aguilera warmed up, and in the 88^th and 89^th minutes, Aguilera went on to record the first pair of goals in his career with a pair of 25-yard darts that snuck inside the right post to force the tie.

As a unit, the Skyhawks are averaging 1.83 goals per game on 15.8 shots per game with a 40.0 percent shots-on-goal percentage. In addition, opponents are scoring only 0.67 goals per game while taking 11 shots with a 34.8 percent shots-on-goal percentage.

David Citron leads all players with eight total points on two goals and four assists with Tomas Duenes closely behind with six points on two goals and two assists. Aguilera's performance last Saturday has him tied for the lead with two goals while Gabriel Legendre and Casey Stracher each have a goal and an assist on the year.

Bergman, Vincent Edgell, and Anton Hjalmarsson have tallied one goal on the season while Tristen Banquil, Jakob Larson, and goalkeeper Lucas Martin have all made one assist. In total, 11 different Skyhawks have recorded a point thus far.

Closing Out Non-Conference Play
Fort Lewis has two final non-conference matches ahead as the Skyhawks host No. 9-ranked CSU Pueblo (5-1-0) for a 6:00 p.m. match on Dirks Field this Thursday, Sep. 26, before heading on the road to take on Colorado Mesa (3-1-1) on Sunday, Sep. 29, at 3:00 p.m.

Print Friendly Version