It wasn’t pretty nor a proper game of college soccer Sunday afternoon at Dirks Field, but the Fort Lewis College women’s soccer team earned another win in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, as they defeated Regis 1-0 with a goal from Dylan Barker with 18 seconds remaining in the first overtime.
The Skyhawks (3-2-1, 2-0 RMAC) did not control much of possession or have clear-cut opportunities until the overtime period, registering just six shots on the afternoon.
That’s when, with just 18 seconds remaining in the first extra time period, substitutes Charlie Kaiser and Dylan Barker combined for the winner. Kaiser was on the far right flank, dribbled inside and found Barker, who ran to the front post, received the ball and scored as it deflected off of Regis’s goalkeeper and in. It was the duo’s instinctive movements that ultimately led the Skyhawks to victory.
“I can always count on Dylan to be in the box,” said Kaiser.
“I just ran straight to the front post and Charlie put it right there, so it was easy,” Barker chimed in, who scored her first goal of the season.
Head coach Damian Clarke said that despite not having as many chances as Friday, it only took one to win the match.
“Regardless of how you get it done, if you’re able to find a way, you’re growing,” said Clarke. “We didn’t have much of the ball, didn’t have many chances, but, if you put one away, at the end of the day, you get to walk with your hand up, and, I feel fortunate but also very crowd.”
The Rangers (2-2-2, 1-1 RMAC) had 11 shots on the day and eight corner kicks, and with just under 90 seconds remaining in the match, a Regis attacker was taken down inside FLC’s penalty box. The referee swallowed his whistle, did not point to the penalty spot and said to play on, much to the dismay of stunned Regis players and traveling fans. Regis continued to create chances in the extra period, but were unable to find the back of the net. Skyhawks senior goalkeeper Britt Blomso had one save in the win but was called on numerous times to punch away corner kicks and other half-chances.
Regis head coach J.B. Belzer was unavailable for comment after the match.
The Skyhawks will take on Adams State at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23.
The Fort Lewis College men’s soccer team was also victorious in RMAC action Sunday afternoon, and defeated Adams State (0-5-1, 0-1-1 RMAC) 4-0. The Skyhawks scored three goals in the second half.
The Skyhawks (3-0-2, 1-0-1 RMAC) opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Landon Gibson scored from 20 yards out.
In the second half, FLC’s offense came to life, and found the back of the net three times, starting with a goal from Bar Hazut in the 65th minute. The icing on the cake came in the game’s final 10 minutes, when Ryan Lee scored from the middle of the penalty box in the 83rd minute and Hakeem Rabiu’s hit went from left to right and into the net in the 84th minute.
Fort Lewis will take on Metro State of Denver at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 at Dirks Field.
bploen@durangoherald.com
