Getting beat always stings, but getting beat by one of your own makes losing even tougher.
That’s what happened at Dirks Field on Friday afternoon, as ex-Fort Lewis College soccer player, former FLC women’s assistant coach and current Colorado Mesa head coach Todd Padgett guided his Mavericks to a 1-0 win against his alma mater.
A late goal in the 81st minute by Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year Roy Abergil broke the long stalemate and ended up being the difference-maker in the outcome.
“I thought we looked fantastic in the first half and played about as clean of a 45-minute session as we have this year,” Padgett said. “Then, the second half was a much different story. They had us on our heels and it felt like our backs were really against the wall for awhile.”
The Mavericks (5-1-3, 5-0-1 RMAC) looked sharp from the get-go, but FLC goalkeeper Elliot Chadderton was up to the task in a busy opening half. Chadderton made six saves, as the Skyhawks were outshot 10-5 in the half and saw Colorado Mesa attempt five corners to just one for the home squad.
Something clicked at the intermission, however, and Fort Lewis was the team that had the majority of chances for the rest of the match. The Skyhawks offense came alive and the defense tightened up. Fort Lewis’ big forward Salifu Jatta created some great opportunities, and FLC freshman Churchill Onumonu was denied by Mavericks keeper Briley Guarneri from point-blank range.
“I don’t think it was anything strategic that made a difference, just a little more energy and focus in the second half,” Fort Lewis head coach David Oberholzter said. “We played strong soccer, but, again those set pieces have been giving us problems all year and it happened again.”
With 10 minutes left in the match, the pressure FLC had amassed in the half turned the shot battle in their favor, but it only took one for the Mavericks to make the difference.
After a foul gave Colorado Mesa a free kick from just outside the box, Moshe Perez lifted a prefect cross to Abergil who put a header past Chadderton and into the top of the goal for the game-winner.
“It is always a good battle coming here and, wow, this was tough,” Abergil said. “We hung in there and kept fighting. Moshe kicked a perfect ball and I kind of snuck in behind everyone else and got a good piece of it.”
The Skyhawks (4-5-0, 3-2-0 RMAC) kept the heat on in the final minutes and had some good opportunities to tie but couldn’t come up with the equalizer. When the final buzzer sounded, the visitors breathed a sigh of relief after hanging on for the win, but the coach fought back tears.
“This place, for me, is a special place and I look forward to every trip I make back here,” said an emotional Padgett.
“I have nothing but the deepest respect for this college. I got my start and grew up here, so I still know a lot of the fans in the stands and expected them to heckle me the way they did. It wouldn’t be Fort Lewis without the great fans of Durango.”
jfries@durangoherald.com
