When the Fort Lewis College soccer team has needed a spark, the dynamic duo of Shayla Malecki and Alicia Sanchez have been the ignition switch, and they were at it again on Sunday.
Malecki’s team-leading fourth goal, with just three minutes remaining in the match, was the difference Saturday at Dirks Field as Fort Lewis beat New Mexico Highlands 2-1.
Sanchez scored the game-tying goal on a second-half penalty kick and assisted on Malecki’s game winner.
“Alicia and I are really close on and off the field, and we had a little chat before we went back in near the end,” Malecki said.
With the score tied 1-1 and less than 10 minutes remaining, FLC head coach Jimmy Hall sent the duo to the scorer’s table.
Malecki gave Sanchez a quick “let’s get this” and a neat little handshake followed before they got back on the pitch.
Within minutes, a corner kick bounced around in the box and Malecki got the final touch on it.
“I just got a foot on it and tipped it into the back of the net,” Malecki said.
The Skyhawks (3-2-1, 2-0-0 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) had numerous chances to take the lead in the first half, but narrow misses and quality saves by Cowgirls keeper Katherine Scott kept it scoreless through the first 45 minutes.
It was New Mexico Highlands forward Anyssa Dagnino who got the first goal, however, just two minutes into the second half.
Trailing to a winless team and having controlled much of the action, the Skyhawks turned it up a notch. Sanchez’s penalty kick goal in the 59th minute provided some relief, and FLC kept plugging away.
“I’m so proud of the fight and relentlessness the girls showed (Sunday) getting back in the game,” Fort Lewis head coach Jimmy Hall said. “That stuff doesn’t just happen by chance. These girls have a lot of fight and they showed that again this time out.”
Solid play on the back line and Blomso in net thwarted the few opportunities the Cowgirls (0-5-1, 0-2-0 RMAC) created, and as time ticked away, Malecki willed the team to victory.
“Shayla is fantastic and they’re an awesome pair,” Hall said. “It’s one thing to recruit talent but when you can pair them like this, the way these two play together, it’s special.”
Fort Lewis will travel to Denver for 4:30 p.m. Friday game at Regis before taking on Metro State at noon Sunday.
jfries@durangoherald.com
