Box Score The NMHU Cowgirl Soccer team lost in overtime, on 9/16, on the road in Alamosa, Colo., to the Grizzlies of Adams State College by the final score of 3-2. The Cowgirls controlled the game for the first 75 minutes, with a comfortable 2-0 lead. Then the Grizzlies scored two goals in the last 15 minutes of regular time to send the game into overtime. The Grizzlies completed the late comeback with the golden goal only two and a half minutes into overtime and came away with the victory on their home pitch. With the conference loss the Cowgirls, led by Head Coach
Justin Wagar, fall to 0-2 in the RMAC and 2-4 in overall play.
The Cowgirls started the scoring in the 17th minute from penalty kick. Striker
Marci Johnson stepped up to the spot and connected with her third goal of the season to give the Cowgirls the 1-0 lead.
The Cowgirls' second goal came in the second half when they drew a corner kick.
Marci Johnson again took the kick, in the 55th minute, and found Cowgirl striker
Kelsie Roberts in the box. Roberts used her tremendous ability in the air to head the ball into the back of the net, increasing the Cowgirls' lead to 2-0 with her third goal of the season.
The Cowgirls had numerous scoring opportunities in the first 75 minutes of the game, but were unable to hit the target. Then their fortunes changed in the 76th minute.
Adams State's Kaylee Smith took a free kick from 45 yards out on the right wing. Smith launched the ball into the penalty box and the ball bounced up and over the Cowgirl goalkeepers head into the net.
With the Cowgirls still in the lead by one goal, 2-1, the Grizzlies found the equalizing goal in the 84th minute. Only six minutes remained in regular time when the Grizzlies' Brie'El Wiles lobbed a cross into the box. Her pass found Adams State's Allie Mercado who wasted no time in putting the ball in the back of the net, tying the game up at two goals apiece.
The game was still tied up, 2-2, when regulation time ended, sending the game into overtime. The Grizzlies took advantage of their momentum and went on the attack from the start of the first overtime period.
The Grizzlies' Allie Mercado completed the dramatic comeback for Adams State in the 93rd minute. Kaylee Smith took the Grizzlies' corner kick and put the ball into the penalty box, finding Mercado who ended the game with her third goal of the season.
The Cowgirls'
Kelsie Roberts played a great game, creating numerous shot opportunities for her teammate and finishing the game with a goal.
Marci Johnson also had one goal and an assist. Johnson had two shots on goal from six attempts.
Coach Wagar applauded the determination of the Adams State players saying, “Kudos to Adams State. They beat us. We should have won the game, but we need to learn how to win games when we are ahead.” He was disappointed with the number of missed opportunities that his team had in front of goal. “We missed too many easy shots. We can't afford to leave points off the board when the goal is open like it was today.”
The Cowgirls will continue conference play on Friday, 9/21, as the travel to Grand Junction, Colo., to take on the Mavericks of Colorado Mesa University. The Mavericks are currently in third place in the RMAC, with a 1-0-1 conference record and 4-0-2 in overall play. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. If you can't make it up to Grand Junction to watch the Cowgirls in action, you can click
HERE to follow the game live on the America One Network.
GO COWGIRLS!!!
