Tough games sometimes call for tough losses, which was the case for the Fort Lewis College women’s soccer team Friday night.
The No. 4-seeded Skyhawks (12-6-3) went through the wringer with the No. 5 St. Edwards Hilltoppers (14-5-0), as both teams were as equal as one could imagine after two overtimes with no score. In the end, the Hilltoppers were able to best star goalkeper Caitlyn Espinosa and the rest of the Skyhawks in penalty kicks, 4-3.
“I’m very proud with how Caitlyn played. With the intensity of the game and value of the game, you can’t get much more,” Fort Lewis College head coach Jimmy Hall said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald.
Valencia Mobley scored first for the Hilltoppers, and FLC’s Alicia Sanchez missed the first kick to put the Skyhawks in an early deficit. Fort Lewis then got scores from Carolyn Archer, Brooke Milliet and Courtney Riley. The Hilltoppers also got goals from Sabrina Cone, Grace McSwain and Elin Rosenberg.
Espinosa denied Katie Donahue to give FLC a chance. But when FLC midfielder Shannon Harpham was denied the final shot by St. Edwards’ goalkeeper Lorrie Santoy, the celebration began for the Hilltoppers and the long walk off the field began for the Skyhawks.
“I’m proud of Shannon in the PK. She went through the motions and did what she was taught to do, it was just unfortunate for her,” Hall said. “St. Edwards was anticipating on the right shot and was able to stop some goals. It was a tough shot for Shannon. I thought (the shot) was at good speed, good placement. It’s a gambling game when it comes to penalty kicks. You guess right, it’s good. You guess wrong, you’re not.”
It was a physical game right from the start, feeling one another out like good teams usually do. The Skyhawks controlled the ball early, not letting the Hilltoppers do much. Jordan Hix was on the constant attack early in the game, but Santoy was a wall in the net by not allowing anything past her. Santoy finished with six saves to Espinosa’s four.
Despite leading all major statistical categories, the Skyhawks failed to maintain momentum or put the ball in the net. FLC outshot St. Edwards 17-9 and 6-4 in shots on goal. The Skyhawks also led in corner kicks with a 5-4 advantage.
In the second half, the Hilltoppers contained the Skyhawk offense despite FLC outshooting St. Edwards 9-2 in the second half.
The loss ended the season for the Skyhawks.
jmentzer@durangoherald.com
