LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The game appeared destined for overtime with the New Mexico Highlands women's soccer team and Colorado Christian tied at 1-1 late in the contest, but the Cougars scored a goal in the 89th minute to beat the Cowgirls 2-1 Friday evening at Sanchez Family Stadium.
The Cowgirls (0-6, 0-3) trailed CCU (2-3-2, 1-2) 1-0 at the half after a mishap with the ball in the NMHU backline led to a Cougar goal in the fourth minute.
But the Cowgirls bounced back in the second half as
Monique Nevarez moved the ball to
Alondra Gildo-Ceballos who pushed it forward to
Breanna Fatten on a breakaway. Fatten then from 20 yards out on the right side hit a perfect shot that curved into the top left corner to beat the Cougar keeper and tie the match 1-1 in the 64th minute.
NMHU had its chances and controlled much of the second half (outshooting CCU 10-5 in the final 45 minutes), but CCU drilled a long shot from the left side into the top right corner with 70 seconds remaining to take a 2-1 lead and win the game.
NMHU outshot CCU 14-13, though the Cougars had seven shots on goal compared to five for NMHU. Fatten paced the Cowgirls with six shots – three on goal – while Nevarez took two shots.
Briana Ruelas made five saves for the Cowgirls on seven shots on goal.
The Cowgirls return to action 1 p.m. Sunday when they host No. 7 Colorado School of Mines.
