DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College women's soccer team closed out the 2026 regular season in winning fashion Wednesday afternoon, using a pair of late second-half goals to secure a 2-0 shutout of Western Colorado at Dirks Field. The victory marked the Skyhawks' 10th win of the season, giving the program back-to-back double-digit win campaigns.
Fort Lewis improved to 10-4-3 overall and 7-4-1 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, while Western Colorado concluded the regular season at 6-9-1 overall and 4-7-1 in league action.
Sophomore Addyson Carpentier delivered the game-winner in the 77th minute before senior Jenna Salazar added an insurance goal less than two minutes later. Sophomore Trinity Lujan anchored the defensive effort with three saves, preserving another clean sheet for the Skyhawks at Dirks Field.
How It Happened
Fort Lewis controlled the offensive tempo from the opening whistle, generating 12 first-half shots and five corner kicks while keeping Western Colorado's defense under consistent pressure.
Salazar registered the first opportunity just 22 seconds into the contest before Maleia Dayao forced Western Colorado goalkeeper Addison Blick into a save in the eighth minute. The Skyhawks continued to create chances throughout the opening period, with Lucy Bernino, Ann Spence and Tristen Fought contributing to the offensive attack.
Despite the pressure, the two sides entered halftime scoreless. Fort Lewis held a 12-5 advantage in shots through the opening 45 minutes, while Lujan made two saves to keep the Mountaineers off the scoreboard.
The Skyhawks continued their offensive push after the break, with Emma Gurule generating four second-half attempts, including a shot on target in the 52nd minute.
Western Colorado threatened midway through the second half, generating several opportunities and forcing Lujan into her third save of the afternoon in the 63rd minute.
The breakthrough finally came at the 76:07 mark when Carpentier found the back of the net off an assist from Dayao, giving Fort Lewis a 1-0 advantage. Dayao sent the ball into the box on a corner kick, briefly finding the keeper's hands before Carpentier sent a goal high-center on the loose ball. The goal marked Carpentier's fourth of the season and stood as the eventual game-winner.
Just 1:55 later, Salazar doubled the advantage with an unassisted strike at 78:02, recording her first goal of the season and putting the finishing touches on the Skyhawks' regular-season finale. Salazar was busy in the offensive third, including during the sequence that led to her first goal of the season. The senior intercepted a pass from the Mountaineer defender, took her time to find open space, and perfectly placed the game's second goal in a narrow slot between the left post and the keeper.
Fort Lewis maintained its offensive intensity over the final 12 minutes, creating several additional scoring opportunities while keeping Western Colorado off the scoreboard to secure the 2-0 victory.
Inside the Box Score
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Fort Lewis outshot Western Colorado 28-13, including a 16-8 advantage in the second half.
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The Skyhawks placed nine shots on goal compared to three for the Mountaineers.
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Carpentier netted her fourth goal of the season and the game-winner, while Salazar recorded her first goal of the campaign.
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Dayao collected the assist on Carpentier's opening goal.
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Salazar, Gurule, and Bernino each finished with a team-high four shots.
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Fought added three shots, including two on goal, while Amber Otts also recorded three attempts.
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Lujan played all 90 minutes in goal, making three saves to earn the shutout.
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Fort Lewis held a 9-6 advantage in corner kicks.
Up Next
With the regular season complete, Fort Lewis turns its attention to the 2026 RMAC Women's Soccer Tournament. The Skyhawks have secured a postseason berth and enter Sunday's quarterfinal match as the No. 5-seed. Fort Lewis will face No. 4-seeded Colorado Mesa University on Sunday in Grand Junction. Game time is TBD.
Fans can follow GoSkyhawks.com and the Fort Lewis Athletics social media channels for the official postseason announcement and additional tournament information.
