Regis University continues to be a thorn in the side of Fort Lewis College women’s lacrosse team.
For the third time this season, the Rangers worked past the Skyhawks in a close game, this time on the biggest stage of the season.
FLC built a three-goal lead twice in the first half of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal game Saturday afternoon at Regis’ home field in Denver. But the Rangers rallied to tie the game at 9 before halftime and held the Skyhawks to only two goals in the second half to secure a 15-11 victory and advance to the conference championship game Sunday.
FLC (9-5, 4-3 RMAC) entered the game as the No. 3 seed of the four teams to make the tournament field. The Skyhawks previously had lost 11-9 and 11-10 second-seeded to Regis (12-4, 6-1 RMAC).
The Skyhawks’ attackers came out ready to play, with Rebecca Miller and Jam Vertner both scoring three times and recording on assist each.
Brooke Galle added two goals, both coming late in the first half to put FLC up 8-5 at the time.
Taylor Cabrera scored two more goals and had one assist, and Carly Smoke added a goal of her own on her only shot of the game to help the Skyhawks.
But Emily Behr, the RMAC Offensive Player of the Year, scored four goals and added an assist to help the Rangers eliminate their early deficit. Melissa Hastie also added four goals, and Emily Elkins and Erin Steiner each scored twice for Regis.
Jada Bonner, Lily Colley and Anna Takushi all scored once for Regis.
FLC goalkeeper Ally Guerrero, a freshman, was under attack the entire second half. She faced 37 shots and made 12 saves.
Regis owned possession thanks to winning 17-of-27 draw controls and having three fewer turnovers than FLC.
The game was delayed 30 minutes before the opening whistle because of lightning in the Denver area.
The Skyhawks season came to an end with the loss. It ended head coach Julia Decker’s first season coaching the Skyhawks, after she replaced Kelsey MacDonald last offseason.
Regis will advance to play Lindenwood (17-1), the top seed in the RMAC and the No. 3 team in the country, for the tournament championship at 2 p.m. Sunday.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
