GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Looking to have a potential overtime thriller and repeating last year's scenario, Olivia Bariao-Arce lifted the Mavericks to a victory instead this evening as her 87th minute goal helped the #22 Colorado Mesa University Women's Soccer Team secure a decisive win over Fort Lewis College in a 1-0 decision at Community Hospital Unity Field.
Avenging last year's decision in the RMAC Tournament when the Skyhawks advanced after winning a penalty kick shootout, the Mavs now head into the Championship game this Saturday as they look for a chance to own both of the conference's regular season championship and tournament championship. The Mavs will take on Colorado School of Mines in that matchup with them advancing to the Championship game after defeating UCCS in a penalty kick shootout in the other Semifinal game.
With a win of the conference tournament the Mavs have a high chance to host the NCAA Regionals here in Grand Junction as well after being ranked third in the region which was released earlier today.
Fort Lewis, who will wait to see if their name is called on Monday in the selection show, now move to 11-5-3 on the season while being ranked eighth in the region.
Playing to a highly defensive start to the game, both offenses were limited to just three shots apiece in the first half with the only difference being that one of Fort Lewis's was on goal.
Colorado Meas held majority of the possession in the half but as advertised, the defense battle was on full display. Corner kicks were sparse as well with there being just three total to that point.
The second half featured much of the same result with the only difference being that Fort Lewis pressured more early before the eventual game-defining goal in the final five minutes.
Colorado Mesa changed the momentum with a pair of close shots that were saved in the 72nd minute, with them then making their final push in the 87th minute to put the Skyhawks away.
After a breakaway chance from midfield, Peyton Bundy passed forward to Bariao-Arce on the play to which she beat one defender before launching a rocket of a shot into the top left corner of the net to give the Mavs the lead.
Bariao-Arce increased her total to four goals on the season now while Bundy was credited with the assist.
The Skyhawks looked challenged back in the final three minutes with one shot but were held at bay as Colorado Mesa secured their ticket to the Championship game.
Keely Wieczorek and the defense earned their 15th shutout of the season in the win with Wieczorek recording three saves.
As a defense, the Mavs held Fort Lewis to 10 shots in the game with only three of them on goal. In contrast they owned 12 shots with five of theirs on goal.
Tickets for Saturday's game can be found online at https://fan.hudl.com/tickets/VGlja2V0ZWRFdmVudDY4ZWQ1YWU3YWEwOTJhNDkwNDhhYjhhZg==
Streaming options can be found at the rmacnetwork.com
