LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Fort Lewis College women's soccer used a dominant second-half offensive effort to pull away from New Mexico Highlands University for a 3-1 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference road win on Thursday afternoon.
The Skyhawks improved to 6-2-2 overall and 3-2-0 in RMAC play, while New Mexico Highlands dropped to 0-8-1, 0-4-0 RMAC. Fort Lewis outshot the Cowgirls 23-6 for the match, including a 16-2 advantage in the second half, and put 14 attempts on frame.
Three different Skyhawks found the back of the net as junior Lucy Bernino, senior Ann Spence, and freshman Kadyn Begay accounted for the scoring. Spence's eventual game-winner was her first goal of the season, while Begay netted her second. Bernino also scored her first goal of the year.
Fort Lewis broke through in the 39th minute when Bernino scored at 38:44 to send the Skyhawks into halftime with a 1-0 advantage. Senior Jenna Salazar created the opportunity by flicking a pass through two defenders, allowing Bernino to drive toward goal and beat the keeper with a strong shot high-left for the lead.
The Cowgirls responded quickly after halftime, leveling the match at 1-1 on Taylor Delgado's goal in the 48th minute.
Fort Lewis answered less than 10 minutes later. Spence stepped to the spot for a penalty kick in the 57th minute after Salazar drew a foul on a wide-open opportunity in the box. The All-Conference midfielder, playing in just her second game after returning from an offseason injury, had the initial attempt saved by Highlands goalkeeper Peyton Greener before putting away the rebound to restore the Skyhawks' lead at 2-1.
The Skyhawks continued to apply pressure and found an insurance goal in the 75th minute. Begay fired from 20 yards out and forced the keeper backward to make the initial save. The ball carried across the goal line, and after a brief delay, the officials signaled the goal to give Fort Lewis a 3-1 lead.
Fort Lewis controlled the second half statistically, firing 16 shots with 12 on goal while allowing just two shots from the Cowgirls. The Skyhawks also earned three of their four corner kicks after halftime. Highlands goalkeeper Greener finished with 11 saves as Fort Lewis consistently tested the Cowgirls' defense.
Jamerson paced the Skyhawks with five shots and four on goal, while Jenna Salazar and Emma Gurule each attempted four shots. Begay put both of her attempts on frame, and Olivia Wills came off the bench to put two shots on goal.
In goal, Trinity Lujan played all 90 minutes and made three saves to earn the victory. Amber Otts and Addyson Carpentier also went the full 90 minutes for the Skyhawks.
Up Next
Fort Lewis continues RMAC play on the road against Adams State University.
