The NMHU Soccer team fell to another long distance free kick in a 1-0 loss to RMAC rival Adams State College on 9/21. The Cowgirls' defense played well throughout the match, but a free kick from 35 yards was all the Grizzlies needed to take home the victory. The Cowgirls had 20 shots in the game but were only able to put 10 of them on goal and Grizzlies' keeper Christine Stemple saved all 10 shots. With the loss, the Cowgirls are 1-2 in the RMAC and 2-4 in overall play.
The teams were evenly matched in the first period of play, with the Cowgirls taking seven shots to the Grizzlies six. Adams State showed their accuracy in the first half by placing all six shots on goal and Cowgirls' keeper
Shannon Delarosbil saved all six. The Grizzlies led the Cowgirls in corner kicks in the period by three to one.
The Cowgirls began the attack from the start of the second half, taking five shots in the first 10 minutes of the half. The Grizzlies made their mark in the 60th minute when midfielder Kaylee Smith lined up for a free kick from 35 yards on center right of the pitch. Smith placed a low shot across the box that was beyond the reach of Delarosbil and found the lower left corner of the net. The goal was Smith's first of the year and would prove to be the game winner. The Cowgirls fought back furiously looking for the equalizer and it looked to be in hand in the 82nd minute when the Grizzlies Kristine Hackett was shown a yellow card for fouling Cowgirl striker
Julissa Rodriguez in the penalty box. The referee awarded the penalty and Rodriguez stepped up to take the kick. Rodriguez drove a shot to the lower left corner but Adams State keeper Christine Stemple made a spectacular diving save and blocked the ball with her finger tips, giving up the corner kick. The Cowgirls were unable to capitalize on their 13 shots in the second period and the Grizzlies came away with the 1-0 win. Adams State drew three yellow cards in the second half of a very physical game.
Cowgirl striker
Julissa Rodriguez led the Cowgirls with nine shots, five of which were on target. Cowgirl midfielder
Autumn Woods had four shots in the game with two on goal, one of which was a clever header inside the six yard box that was close to beating the Adams State keeper. Defender
Jensen Keith led the strong Cowgirls' defense who were only beaten by a long range free kick. Three of the Cowgirls' losses have come at the hands of a long range free kick, with their defense proving too tough to beat from anything but spot kicks from beyond 35 yards.
The Cowgirls will be in action again on Sunday, 9/25, as they travel to Denver to take on the NCAA DII 16th ranked Rangers of Regis University. The Cowgirls will be on the road against a tough Regis University Soccer team that just recorded a 2-1 home victory over NCAA DII sixth ranked Metro State in RMAC play. The Rangers are one spot ahead of the Cowgirls in the RMAC standings with a 1-2 conference record and 4-3 in overall play. If you can't make the trip up to Denver to watch the Cowgirls in action, you can click
HERE to watch the game live on the America One Network.
GO COWGIRLS!!!
Click
HERE for Complete Stats
