In between the Skyhawks’ only two losses this season are four wins and a trio of shutouts, including the Fort Lewis College women’s side’s 1-0 clean sheet against New Mexico Highlands on Sunday in Las Vegas, N.M.
“This is a hostile environment,” FLC head coach Damian Clarke said. “Any time you can find a way to win here is a good result.”
Clarke admitted losing to Western State on Sept. 27 in Gunnison was a surprise, but the other 2-0 shutout to UC-Colorado Springs was a mirage. FLC outshot the previously ranked Moutain Lions 19-9 its last time out.
“We were surprised at Western,” Clarke said.
UCCS, however, “You’d like to think you win a game like that,” he said in reference to the Skyhawks’ shot advantage.
“This is an awesome conference.”
The Skyhawks’ blend of young and the old fused Sunday against the Cowgirls.
FLC freshman Jordan Hix assisted FLC senior Emma Cannis for the game’s first, only and game-winning goal in the 59th minute.
“In all reality, we’ve got a good mix of older kids with a lot of maturity and younger kids running around making things difficult with their athleticism,” said Clarke, who cited Hix’s assist as case and point.
“She played great in the midfield, won a lot of first balls and created space to dribble. She probably dribbled 20 yards to break some pressure before she found Cannis.”
Caitlyn Espinosa made four saves for the shutout, her eighth this season.
No. 12 FLC (10-2, 6-2 RMAC) next will play Colorado Mines on Friday in Golden, then will host CSU-Pueblo and Metro State on Oct. 20 and Oct. 25 at home.
N.M. Highlands is 5-4-3, 3-4-1 RMAC.
“We’re getting tougher,” Clarke said. “This was a great win for us.”
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