Renee Terrell delivered a goal to send Fort Lewis College to a championship game.
The freshman from Chandler, Arizona, scored on a header off a corner kick by junior Courtney Riley to deliver the game-winner for the Skyhawks’ women’s soccer team in a 2-1 win against UC-Colorado Springs. The win came in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals in Golden, and FLC will face host Colorado Mines in the championship at noon Sunday. Colorado Mines defeated Metro State 2-1 earlier Friday.
“The team is real excited,” FLC head coach Jimmy Hall said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “At the end of the year, we’re super stoked to keep getting to play an extra game.”
Terrell’s goal was only her second of the season and first since Sept. 5 against Texas Woman’s. It came in the 51st minute.
“She’s battled all year,” Hall said. “She’s been out of the lineup at times, and for her to battle into the postseason is very big, and that was a confidence-boosting goal.”
FLC went down 1-0 in the seventh minute when Michaela Mansfield finished a breakaway goal past FLC goalkeeper Caitlyn Espinosa.
But the Skyhakws responded 35 seconds later when Shayla Malecki collected a rebound off a Riley shot that was saved. Malecki calmly finished the equalizing goal.
“The shot was saved, went off the keeper’s hands and hit the crossbar. Shayla came in and calmly put it in the net,” Hall said. “It was a huge answer and very uplifting for the team.”
FLC dominated the first half with 12 shots to three. FLC had 20 total shots, seven on goal.
The Skyhawks and Colorado Mines met once in the regular season, and FLC won 2-1 in Golden. It was the program’s first-ever win against the Orediggers on the road.
Hall expects another tough match Sunday but knows his team is capable of duplicating the feat.
“I expect it to be difficult against a talented soccer team,” Hall said. “We have to be organized and disciplined defensively. Be patient, build and keep the ball and take advantage of any opportunities.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
