LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Sophomore forward
Anyssa Dagnino tallied a goal in each half – her fourth multi-goal game of her career – while the Cowgirls defense pitched its fifth shutout of the season as the New Mexico Highlands soccer team (4-2-1, 1-1-1 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) upended Colorado Christian (3-3-2, 0-3-1 RMAC) 2-0 Friday morning (Sept. 26).
"It was a great win as the team played great," head coach
Justin Wagar said. "We are approaching the record of seven shutouts in a season already. However, we will have our hands full Sunday afternoon against #21 MSU Denver."
Both teams put one shot on goal early before freshman
Malia Maack launched a pass from midfield in the 20th minute that found Dagnino. Dagnino kicked the ball in the back of the net for the first Cowgirls goal in nearly two weeks and the first time they have scored in the first half of a game this season.
With Highlands clinging to a 1-0 lead out of half time, it was Colorado Christian that turned up the pressure with five second half shots on goal. However, freshman goalie
Sarah Beecher grabbed each shot to preserve the lead. Dagnino provided the insurance goal, her fifth of the season, when she scored off of a cross from Maack in the 70th minute.
Despite five saves by Beecher in the second half, the Cowgirls defense ratcheted up as the Cougars only managed one shot during the final 20 minutes of action.
Highlands returns to action Sunday (Sept. 28) when it takes on #21 Metropolitan State University of Denver at noon.
