Tuesday night’s match for the Fort Lewis College volleyball team was a big opportunity for the Skyhawks for two reasons. FLC stepped up and left Westminster with a win.
The first reason the 3-2 win over Westminster was big is because it equaled FLC’s win total from last season. FLC improved to 10-4 overall and 4-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference under first-year head coach Justin Wong with 12 regular-season games left. Last season, FLC finished 10-16 overall and 6-8 in the RMAC.
Another reason it was a big win for FLC was because it snapped a two-game losing streak. The win also propelled the Skyhawks into a tie for second in the RMAC.
FLC controlled the first set and won 25-19. Westminster returned the favor with a controlling 25-19 win in Set 2.
The third set was a roller coaster as the Griffins led 8-1 early. FLC rallied with an 11-2 run to take a 12-10 lead. After the set was tied at 13, the Skyhawks went on a 10-0 run to take control and cruise to a 25-18 win.
Westminster took control of the middle of the fourth set and won 25-19 to force the fifth set. FLC jumped out to a 6-3 lead before the Griffins tied the set at nine. Then FLC junior Alina Nunez scored the final four points of the match as FLC won Set 5, 15-9.
Skyhawk freshman Cambria Freymuth led FLC with 14 kills, followed by Nunez’s 13. Freshman setter Arianna Reyna and sophomore setter Addie Garn each finished with 21 assists for FLC.
FLC returns home to face Colorado Mesa on Saturday at 4 p.m.
FLC women’s soccer snapped a four-game losing streak on Sunday after senior defender Renee Junna’s penalty-kick goal in the 79th minute gave the Skyhawks the 1-0 win over Westminster.
The Skyhawks improved to 4-4-1 overall and 1-2 in the RMAC while Westminster dropped to 3-1-4 overall and 0-1-3 in the RMAC.
“We weren't great,” FLC women’s soccer head coach Damian Clarke said. “Westminster did a really good job of putting pressure on us and not really allowing us to do what we want to do. We're obviously tough defensively, which has been a staple of the group for a few years now. But, it was some really good goalkeeping to keep the sheet clean.”
Clarke said the Skyhawks struggled with turnovers under pressure, which led to the game being played in transition.
Junna’s penalty-kick opportunity came when junior forward Jenna Salazar’s leg was kicked while she was shooting inside the 18-yard box.
Westminster had over double the shots (13-6) in the second half compared to FLC. However, FLC ended the game with a 9-7 shots on goal advantage despite being outshot 18-13. Clarke thought Westminster was a lot more dangerous and FLC did a good job blocking shots inside the 18-yard box. Freshman goalkeeper Trinity Lujan also finished with seven saves in the defensive effort.
FLC plays New Mexico Highlands at home on Friday at 2 p.m. The Skyhawks will look to get their offense going as they haven’t scored two goals in a game since Sept. 13.
Clarke is focusing on the quality of the team’s service and shooting opportunities so the Skyhawks can get more in the back of the net.
The FLC men’s soccer team is still searching for its first RMAC win. The Skyhawks tied MSU Denver, 1-1, at home on Sunday.
Colorado Christian was looking like it was going to be FLC’s first RMAC win last week. The Skyhawks were up 3-0 early in the second half when the game was postponed due to lightning.
FLC was up 1-0 against MSU Denver thanks to a goal in the fourth minute by freshman forward Lorenz Guintini. However, FLC is still looking for its first shutout of the season after the Roadrunners’ Matt Vogel scored in the 24th minute to tie the game.
The Skyhawks outshot MSU Denver 11-4 in the second half, but couldn’t find the game-winner. FLC moved to 4-1-3 overall and 0-0-1 in the RMAC with the tie and MSU Denver moved to 3-2-5 overall and 1-0-1 in the RMAC.
FLC plays at Westminster on Friday at 7 p.m.
The FLC football team faced its toughest competition of the season in No. 7 Western Colorado at home on Saturday and the Skyhawks suffered their biggest loss of the year in a 49-10 blowout.
Western Colorado improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the RMAC with the win and FLC dropped to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the RMAC.
The Mountaineers jumped out to a 21-3 lead at the half and increased their lead to 42-3 after three quarters.
Quarterback Josiah Roy led Western Colorado to victory, finishing the game 19/28 passing for 245 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.
FLC used three quarterbacks in the loss with redshirt sophomore Stone Walker still out with his ankle injury. Redshirt sophomore Jacob Morris finished 10/14 passing for 93 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Jones led the Skyhawks with 45 rushing yards. Junior wide receiver Zachary Gaumont led FLC with three catches for 60 yards and a touchdown.
The Skyhawks hit the road for another tough test in No. 11 CSU Pueblo on Saturday at 2 p.m.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
