LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Funny how soccer works?
The Cowgirls, who did not score a first half goal in the first six games, have scored a goal in the first stanza each of the last six games as New Mexico Highlands (9-3-4, 6-2-4 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) battled to a 1-1 tie with visiting Metropolitan State University of Denver (12-1-3, 9-0-3 RMAC) Sunday afternoon (Oct. 26).
"I'm proud of how the team played. We got two wins and played the top team in the region down to the wire," head coach
Justin Wagar remarked.
With the draw, the Cowgirls are undefeated in their last eight games at 5-0-3, breaking the previous record of seven games from the 2007 season.
"I'm happy with the team in setting the school record. Everone is working so hard and starting to believe in our ability to compete with anyone," Wagar added.
A soft touch on the ball netted Highlands lone goal. In the last minute before halftime, freshman
Alex Gunnel placed the ball in the box. MSU Denver's keeper Breanna Flores came out to meet the ball, but classmate
Hannah Dahlquist was able to put a foot on the pass. The ball trickled in left side as Highlands scored with just 23 ticks left on the clock. The goal was Dahlquist's third of the season.
The Roadrunners tied the game in the 53rd minute. Karisa Price, who leads the RMAC in goals scored, took a pass in the box and made a move to juke the defender and scored in nearly the same location Dahlquist scored eight minutes earlier. It was goal number 10 on the season for Price.
For the game, freshman goalie
Sarah Beecher grabbed six saves for Highlands and is 9-3-4 on the year in the box. The Roadrunners' Flores is 12-1-3 on the season, grabbing eight saves.
Highlands had golden opportunities for another goal, each in the first half, second half and second overtime. In the first half, freshman
Katelyn Flack had a semi-open net in front of the goal. However, her shot was blocked by the Roadrunners for a team save. In the second, junior
Nicole Millar had a ball straight on that the goalie punched above the crossbar. In the second overtime, junior
Crystal Schuder had the same opportunity as Millar but with the same result.
Schuder and junior
Jasmine Waugaman both led the Cowgirls with a pair of shots on goal. Abby Rolph led the visitors with four shots – three of which were on target.
With Western State losing to Colorado School of Mines, the Cowgirls are guaranteed a spot in the six-team RMAC Tournament. Highlands will be either the fourth or fifth seed.
Highlands returns to action next Friday (Oct. 31) when it celebrates senior day against against UC Colorado Springs. Game time is set for 4:30 p.m.
