GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – An early goal proved to be the difference on Friday night as the Fort Lewis College women's soccer team fell 1-0 to Colorado Mesa University at Community Hospital Unity Field.
The Skyhawks move to 4-2-2 overall and 1-2-0 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, while the Mavericks improve to 5-2-0 and remain unbeaten in league play at 3-0-0.
Colorado Mesa held a 19-8 advantage in shots, but the margin was much closer in attempts on frame with Fort Lewis trailing just 3-2. The Mavericks earned four corner kicks compared to two for the Skyhawks, while the teams combined for 25 fouls.
Junior Mia Duncan led the Fort Lewis attack with four shots, including two on goal. Senior Jenna Salazar added two attempts, while senior Amber Otts and freshman Maleia Dayao each recorded one. Duncan, Otts, Kailin Gudewicz, Lucy Bernino, Emma Gurule, Addyson Carpentier and goalkeeper Trinity Lujan each played the full 90 minutes.
Colorado Mesa applied pressure from the opening whistle and found the eventual game-winner in the 10th minute. Jenelle Arenibas set up Olivia Bariao-Arce, who scored her second goal of the season to put the Mavericks ahead 1-0.
The Mavericks continued to generate opportunities throughout the first half and finished the period with a 10-3 advantage in shots. Fort Lewis began finding more of the attack late in the half behind Duncan, who accounted for all three Skyhawk attempts. Her final look came just before halftime when she put an attempt on frame that was stopped by CMU goalkeeper Keely Wieczorek.
Fort Lewis found more opportunities after the break and earned its first corner kick in the 53rd minute. Salazar followed with a shot in the 55th minute, and the senior had another opportunity sail high in the 74th as the Skyhawks continued searching for the equalizer.
The pressure increased in the closing minutes. Dayao sent an attempt wide in the 86th before Otts put a shot on goal in the 88th that Wieczorek turned away. Fort Lewis produced one final chance with five seconds remaining when Duncan put a shot on frame, but Wieczorek made her third save to preserve the 1-0 decision.
Up Next
Fort Lewis continues its road trip on Sunday with an 11 a.m. match against Westminster University at Dumke Field in Salt Lake City, Utah.
