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No. 13 FLC hosts UCCS
RMAC tourney begins today at Dirks Field
Herald Staff Report
Clarke
The Skyhawks (16-2-2 overall, 12-2-2 RMAC) aren't going to take the Mountain Lions (7-9-1 overall, 6-9-1 RMAC) lightly, even though FLC is coming off a six-game unbeaten streak (5-0-1) while their opponents have been reeling (1-4-1).
"It's another massive game for these girls," said Fort Lewis head coach Damian Clarke. "It's a team that is not going to be easy to beat three times." The last time FLC lost was 1-0 to RMAC unbeaten Metro State, the No. 4 team in the country, on Oct. 11.
The last time UCCS won was against winless-in-conference Nebraska-Kearney.
Still, Clarke said the Mountain Lions are big, athletic and play strong defense.
"In the same breath, these girls are prepared and ready to go," Clarke said. "We just want the kids to come out and play a bit longer than they have these last couple of games." Clarke said senior midfielder Jamie MacArthur is back to top form after battling the flu, and the team's health is good for the most part.
The recent absence of freshman winger Paige Martinez gave fellow freshman Ashley Kniffin the chance to see some time on the left side - an opportunity she made the most of, Clarke said.
"The freshman class has been absolutely tremendous," he said. "We're really fortunate to have this kind of recruiting class." That class includes Torrey Larson, who scored twice late to beat CSU-Pueblo last Sunday and is seventh in the conference with nine goals despite playing little more than half of each game.
"She's going to cause problems no matter what," Clarke said, adding that a midseason scoring drought may have made conference opponents forget about her. Clarke said he likes bringing Larson off the bench when the other team is winded.
"She only needs a few minutes to score goals," he said. "If you let her run around for a long time, they can start to figure things out." The Skyhawks have scored 46 against just 13 for opponents, using a balanced attack that includes five players among the RMAC's top-20 points leaders.
Sophomore forward Hayley Hollenga is seventh with 23 (six goals, 11 assists), Larson is ninth with 20 (nine goals, two assists), junior midfielder Erika Shisler is 12th (seven goals, three assists), MacArthur is 15th (eight goals), and sophomore Michelle Felten is 19th (five goals, three assists).
Junior goalkeeper Christene Schmelzle ranks second in the conference, allowing just .65 goals per game and saving 53 of 66 shots for a .835 save percentage.
Seeded No. 3 in the RMAC, the Skyhawks need to beat the No. 6 Mountain Lions to advance to the semifinals Friday against RMAC scoring leader Kayla Mitchell and No. 2 Colorado Mines at the field of No. 1 Metro State College in Denver.
"They're as prepared as they're going to get," Clarke said.
The semifinal winners will face off in the final at noon Sunday.
FLC currently is third in the NCAA Women's Soccer Central Region Poll, trailing Metro State and Minnesota State-Mankato while holding off Colorado Mines and Regis in fourth and fifth, respectively.
No. 5 Mesa State visits No. 4 Regis in today's other first-round action.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
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