One year after losing their head coach and going 6-8-5 overall, the Fort Lewis College women’s soccer team immediately bounced back to establish itself as one of the top programs in the country. Proof can via accolades and another national ranking Tuesday.
Senior goalkeeper Caitlyn Espinosa was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year when postseason awards were announced. Head coach Jimmy Hall, in his second year leading the team after serving last season as interim head coach, was named the conference’s coach of the year.
“I feel really good about getting the team to play a bit more the way I want to see them play,” Hall said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “I feel really good with what we’ve done so far, and I’m happy for them.”
The Skyhawks finished the season 11-4-3 overall with an 8-2-1 record in the RMAC, good for second in the conference. FLC earned a bye in the first round of the RMAC Tournament and will play a semifinal game Friday in Golden.
Hall credited Espinosa’s great play in goal for helping get the team there.
“I do think Caitlyn is definitely the best goalie in the conference,” Hall said. “She’s done the best defending the aerial assault everyone does in the conference. She’s very dominant in defending crosses, balls from distance, and most of the time she made the first save even when we did get scored on.”
Espinosa played in 16 games this season and shattered the FLC career shutouts record, moving the mark to 27 after recording five more this season. She led the RMAC in save percentage and saves and ranked third in goals against and shutouts.
Five other FLC players were recognized on all-conference teams, too.
Alicia Sanchez, a sophomore, was named to the First Team All-RMAC, while juniors Jordan Hix and Brooke Milliet were named to the second team. Sanchez scored six goals, four of which were game winners. She added one assist for 13 total points. Hix finished with one goal and one assist and helped dominate possession in the midfield all season thanks to her athleticism. Milliet, a Durango High School alumna, scored two goals and added three assists.
Also earning honorable mention honors were junior roommates Carolyn Archer and Courtney Riley. Archer had one goal and three assists and also was a force all over the field by winning possession. Riley scored three goals, including two game winners, and had one assist.
“It really shows their effort not only individually but as a group,” Hall said of all the awards. We put the effort in as a team.”
The RMAC Player of the Year went to Sid Otto of Regis. She led the conference in points with 19, including a conference-high nine goals.
Colorado Mines’ Emily Garnier was the Defensive Player of the Year, and Metro State’s Regina Banks was named the Freshman of the Year.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
