With the temperature in Grand Junction dropping and snow falling on the Monument, we have officially reached the fall season. The cold also brings us playoff soccer as the Mavericks hosted Metro State at Walker Field Wednesday night. The ladies looked to use their late season push to get past the Roadrunners. With two goals from Kelly Parkhurst, the Mavs were able to get by Metro State and advance to the RMAC semifinals, winning 2-1.

“Playing in front of this big crowd really gave us a boost,” Parkhurst said. “They made it loud and gave us extra motivation.”

The Maverick defense was able to hold off early opportunities by Metro State. The Roadrunners had three shots on goal in the first 15 minutes of the game, but Sarah Schnetzler and the team made great saves to keep it scoreless. With 18 minutes left in the half, Kelly Parkhurst blasted a shot from 30 yards out past the keeper to give the Mavs a 1-0 lead. It was Parkhurst's third of the year, second in the past two games. With under 10 minutes left, Nicole Pollack of Metro tied the game with a header. As the teams went to the locker room at halftime, the score was tied at one apiece.

The Mavs took just five shots in the first half, three of those landing on goal. The Roadrunners put up 12 shots total with 6 of them on goal. Parkhurst was the lone player with multiple shots with two. Schnetzler made four of the five saves for the Mavs.

The Mavs didn't get many good looks on goal in the second. Both defenses put up a strong effort to start. The Mavs' first chance at a goal was when Parkhurst's shot missed just right with under 20 minutes to go in regulation. Then with 14:11 to go in the game, Parkhurst put it in again from 19 yards out to put the Mavs up 2-1. It was her fourth of the year. With the Mavs up late, the defense was able to hold strong and keep off the Roadrunners, winning 2-1.

“I've been practicing those shots all year and I'm glad they finally started going in,” Parkhurst said. “Knowing that any of these games can be my last, I just go out and give everything I have.”

The Mavs put up 11 total shots, only four going on goal. The Roadrunners only had five all of the second half.

The Mavericks will travel to host Regis University to take on the Rangers Friday at 1 p.m. If the Mavs beat the Rangers, they will play in the RMAC Championship Sunday afternoon.

“The playoffs are what we play for,” coach Erin Sharpe said. “Our first goal was to get the fourth seed in the tournament, and we did. Now we are looking to get in the National tournament. Along the way, we also want to win the RMAC.”

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