The Fort Lewis College soccer teams reversed some bad luck this season on Dirks Field.
FLC’s women’s team picked up a 2-1 victory against Western State for its first home win of the season. The men’s team then stepped on its home pitch and scored three minutes into a match against University of Colorado-Colorado Springs to earn a 1-0 victory, the Skyhawks’ second home win of the season.
The FLC men improved to 3-3-4 overall on the season and 3-1-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference to move up to fourth place in the RMAC. The women moved to 2-6-1 overall and 2-4 in the RMAC and stand ninth in the conference.
Landon Gibson finished on a crossing pass from Ryan Lee for the game-winning goal in the men’s 1-0 win against the Mountain Lions. It was Gibson’s third goal of the season and came only three minutes into the game. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw earlier this season.
FLC put six shots on goal to three for the Mountain Lions (2-6-2, 2-2-2 RMAC). All three stops were made by FLC goalkeeper Peter Byrne.
The game became physical with five yellow cards issued, including three to FLC players. UCCS had a big edge in corner kicks, 12-2, but couldn’t muster much pressure in the opportunities.
The FLC women took a 2-0 lead in the 64th minute on a goal from Meredith Curran, her first of the season. She was assisted by Renee Terrell, who scored in the 31st minute of the match with an assist from goalkeeper Ali Miller. It was also Terrell’s first goal of the year.
Western State (4-4-1, 3-2 RMAC) answered with a 67th-mintue goal from Andrea Grillo with an assist from Megan Wheelock.
Miller made six saves in goal for the Skyhawks.
The FLC men will face Metro State on the road at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Denver, while the women will travel to face Black Hills State at 3 p.m. Friday in Spearfish, South Dakota.
The Fort Lewis College volleyball team picked up the win of its season Saturday night in Grand Junction.
The Skyhawks (8-6, 3-3 RMAC) trailed Colorado Mesa 2-0 but stormed back to take the final three sets and win 3-2 (19-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-12).
It was FLC’s first win against the Mavericks (10-4, 4-2 RMAC) since 2013 and first win in Grand Junction since 2007.
Errors were key in the match, as Mesa committed 34 to FLC’s 22. FLC also had 13 blocks to four for the Mavericks.
Emily Dellenbach led FLC with 14 kills, while Laine Waters added 12 and Hannah Martinez hit eight. Martinez also had two aces in the match and 21 digs.
Waters came up with nine blocks, and Megan Graefe had 31 digs for FLC. Kendra Swackenburg set up the hitters with 40 assists.
Mackenize Edwards had a match-high 33 kills for Mesa, and Samantha Ritter had 59 assists.
After two big road wins, FLC will return home at 7 p.m. Friday to host Colorado Mines.
FLC is seventh on the conference standings, while Mines (12-3, 6-0 RMAC) sits in a tie atop the league with Regis (14-1, 6-0 RMAC).
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
