LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands women's soccer team had its chances, but couldn't convert and two fouls in the box led to two converted penalty kicks for Western State Colorado as the Cowgirls fell to 3-1 on a snowy Sunday afternoon at Sanchez Family Stadium.
The Cowgirls (1-10-1 overall, 1-7-1 RMAC) outshot the Mountaineers (3-9-1, 3-5-1) 22-13 – including 9-7 on shots on goal – but couldn't find a way to take advantage of the opportunities.
WSCU got on the board first in the opening minute when an NMHU player was called for a foul on an attempt on a ball in the box. The Mountaineers' Megan Wheelock converted the penalty kick to make it 1-0.
The score remained that way until the 52
nd minute when an NMHU player was whistled for a hand ball in the box – and Wheelock again converted to make it 2-0. A set piece for the Mountaineers led to their third goal in the 72
nd minute – a pass from Jessie Jacobsen to Ingrid Alvarez – to make it 3-0.
The Cowgirls got on the board in the 73
rd minute when WSCU was called for a foul in the box and
Alondra Gildo-Ceballos beat the Mountaineer keeper to make it 3-1. It was Gildo-Ceballos' third goal of the season.
NMHU continued to pressure, but couldn't find the back of the net (the Cowgirls took 16 second-half shots compared to four for WSCU).
Breanna Fatten led NMHU with seven shots (three on goal),
Tania Salcedo had five shots and
Nitza Rodriguez had four (three on goal).
Briana Ruelas finished with four saves for the Cowgirls.
The Cowgirls play at home again next weekend, hosting Dixie State 4 p.m. Friday and play their senior day game 12 p.m. Sunday against Westminster.
