Momentum has been hard to come by for the Fort Lewis College men’s soccer team.
After going on a four-game win streak in the span of 12 days in mid-September, the Skyhawks have been unable to win more than two consecutive games the rest of the season.
The trend continued Sunday, as the Skyhawks (8-6, 6-4 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) fell 2-1 in overtime to Regis (11-2, 8-2 RMAC). The loss came two days after FLC picked up a 3-1 home win against CSU-Pueblo.
“I think it sounds silly to say, but every game we’ve played, with the exception of a loss to (Colorado Mines) at home, we’ve been the best team,” FLC head coach Oige Kennedy said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “We’ve created more chances than other teams, but we just haven’t been able to finish lately. It’s a little frustrating, but we can’t fault our guys at all. They’re working hard.”
The Regis Rangers got on the scoreboard first Sunday with a goal in the seventh minute by Jacob Martinez, assisted by Arnthor Kristinsson.
Regis carried a 1-0 lead into the locker room at halftime, but the Skyhawks evened the game when Yannis Becker scored in the 53rd minute with an assist by Luke Lawrence. It was Becker’s team-leading ninth goal of the season.
But FLC couldn’t find a result in overtime, as the Rangers’ Ryan Urwiller scored just 2 minutes, 30 seconds into the first overtime period sealed the win for Regis. The goal was assisted by Louis Barrow, who headed the ball across the face of the box over to Urwiller after making first contact with a Kristinsson corner kick.
“There was a bit of a scramble after the corner, but they turned it in and got the goal. Give them credit,” Kennedy said.
The Skyhawks dominated in the attacking third most of the match, as they placed 9-of-19 shots on target. Becker took nine shots and placed five on goal.
Regis fired only three shots on goal, and FLC goalkeeper Ryan Schaul made one save.
“I think we dominated the game start to finish,” Kennedy said. “We probably had 60 or 70 percent possession and controlled the game. Schaul was not busy on our end. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough goals, and their keeper made big saves.”
Connor Adkisson made six saves in goal for Regis in the second half and overtime period, and Christian Nicolosi made two saves in the first half for the Rangers, who have used two keepers in games all season.
The game was physical throughout, as the Skyhawks received four yellow cards to three for the Rangers.
FLC will stay on the road for its next game, a 7 p.m. Friday match at No. 14 Colorado Mesa (11-2-1, 9-1 RMAC). The Mavericks lead the conference standings and already have clinched a spot in the RMAC Tournament, as have Regis and Colorado Mines (9-5, 7-3 RMAC).
FLC is in fifth place in the conference, one game ahead of UC-Colorado Springs. FLC has the same conference record as fourth-place Metro State, but the Roadrunners have the better overall record.
“Look, this is Fort Lewis soccer. This is what we do: We keep going until someone tells us we can’t win the trophy,” Kennedy said. “We will be relentless until the end and give it everything we have. Our guys won’t back down.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
