LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Cowgirls used a goal in each half to win its final away game of the regular season as the New Mexico Highlands soccer team (9-3-3, 6-2-3 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) defeated Colorado Mesa (0-12-4, 0-9-3 RMAC) 2-1 Friday afternoon in Grand Junction, Colorado.
In the 70th minute with the score knotted at one, freshman
Hannah Dahlquist put a through ball past the defenders. Sophomore
Anyssa Dagnino caught up to the pass and beat the goalkeeper 1v1 to net the game winner. It was Dagnino's eighth goal – surpassing her total from her freshman campaign – and her fourth game winner of the season.
For the game, junior
Crystal Schuder led the team with six shots while Dagnino had four. Both players managed three shots on target.
The Cowgirls opened the scoring in the opening minute. Freshman
Mallory Bostic took a long shot that deflected high over the goalie's head to open up the scoring at the 26:28 mark. Bostic, who had no goals in the first 11 games of the season, now has three goals in the last four contests.
Colorado Mesa tied the game in the 44th minute. Sarah Pope beat the defenders and found Monica Carlos, who struck the ball in the open net for the equalizer – her first score of the season. Carlos led the Mavericks with four shots, three of which were on target.
Highlands outshot Colorado Mesa 20-11 in the game, including 13-7 in shots on goal.
In goal, freshman
Sarah Beecher improved to 9-3-3 with six saves. Mavericks' goalie Sarah Schnetzler grabbed 11 saves and falls to 0-12-4 on the season.
With a win or a Western State loss on Sunday, the Cowgirls will clinch an RMAC Tournament bid.
The Cowgirls return to action Sunday (Oct. 26) when they take on eighth-ranked Metropolitan State University of Denver. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
