Early in the first of two overtime periods, Renee Terrell looked exhausted after making countless runs down the field. She didn’t have to make a run for her game-winning goal, and the adrenaline rush of scoring a golden goal turned her fatigue into newfound energy.
Tied 2-2 after regular time and again after the first 10-minute overtime period, Fort Lewis College and Colorado State University-Pueblo battled up and down Dirks Field on the FLC campus Friday afternoon. In the opening game of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with two teams expected to compete at the top of the conference, both teams could sense what was on the line.
But, after a beautiful game was played by both sides, a mistake ended the game abruptly. CSU-Pueblo goalkeeper Kaylee Mickens tried to clear a ball deep down field but hit one of her own defenders. The ricochet landed right at the feet of Terrell, and the sophomore forward from Chandler, Arizona, collected herself and put a shot past Mickens to send FLC to a 3-2 victory.
“It’s pretty rare, but when you get those opportunities you have to count on those and finish them,” Terrell said.
FLC (2-2-1, 1-0 RMAC) also had a little help from Mickens on its first goal. In the 9th minute, a long free kick from Carolyn Archer bounced in front of the CSU-Pueblo goal, and Mickens mishandled the ball. She scrambled to keep it out of her goal, but Shayla Malecki was there to tap the ball in for her third goal of the season.
Only eight minutes later, the ThunderWolves (3-2, 0-1 RMAC) answered when Kacie Licata ripped a shot over the head of FLC goalkeeper Alison Darr.
After going into halftime tied 1-1, the Skyhawks quickly struck off the second-half kickoff. Only 16 seconds into the half, Alicia Sanchez put a shot past Mickens with an assist from Courtney Riley.
But the ThunderWolves again answered with a top-shelf shot, this one coming from Reece Hummel in the 62nd minute. It was assisted by Justine Martinez.
The FLC defensive back line was potent all match and was helped by strong play from the midfield. The Skyhawks took away the sidelines and forced turnovers, leading to counter attacks. Senior Keisha Green was all over the field playing box to box as she forced turnovers and made long runs to help set up teammates.
“We always want to lock down the sides and counter when we can,” she said. “It’s part of the Fort Lewis way.”
For the ThunderWolves, the late gaffe was a heartbreaking way to lose a game in a notoriously tough stadium to win.
“You never want to lose on something like that,” said CSU-Pueblo head coach Paul Regrutto. “You want it to be something where they break you down. To have a clearance hit our own player and find their feet, it’s brutal.”
Up next for FLC is a home match noon Sunday against New Mexico Highlands (0-4-1). Friday’s game was the first at home this season for the Skyhawks, and head coach Jimmy Hall and the women hope to keep it rolling Sunday.
“We have a fan base no matter where we are, but it’s bigger and better at home,” Hall said.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
