GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- For the second consecutive season, the Colorado Mesa University women's soccer team booked their ticket to the RMAC Championship after beating the top seeded Regis Rangers 2-1.
This is the first RMAC loss of the season for the Rangers while the Mavs gained their 11th victory of the season. They will now await the winner of the second semifinal between UCCS and Colorado School of Mines.
The Mavs went on the attack straight away with Ellie Duncan firing two shots in the first two minutes that both came up empty.
Olivia Bariao-Arce and Regis' Brooke Castillo exchanged shots a few minutes later, with Keely Wieczorek saving Castillo's shot.
The Mavs continued to put pressure on the defense as Angelina Kazinec fired two more shots that both came up short, however the Mavs continued to be aggressive.
The 19th minute saw a golden opportunity as they drove down the field; Jenelle Arenibas found Duncan near the edge of the box. She turned to her right and fired a shot into the top right corner that got past Maggie Payne, putting the Mavs on top.
Bariao-Arce, Katie Lozano-Monjaraz and Savanah Miller all had chances to extend their lead, but all were dealt with by the Rangers' defense.
Both defenses clamped up and didn't allow shot for the rest of the half, but the Mavs went into halftime with the one goal advantage.
The second half began the same way the first did, with a Duncan shot. However, this one was saved by Payne.
Payne stayed busy having to fend off two more shots from the Mavs as they continued to put their foot on the gas petal.
This approach led to another golden opportunity in the 52nd minute when Olivia Bariao-Arce broke through the stout Rangers' defense. She dashed down the left flank and crossed it into the box, where Regis initially cleared it. However, the ball landed at the feet of Parker Mairs, who finessed a shot past Payne to double the lead for the Mavs.
Miller got another chance to score off a free kick in the 57th minute, but her attempt was too powerful.
Regis, desperate for goals, had a chance to get on the board with a shot from Paula Igual, but Wieczcorek made the stop to keep the Rangers scoreless.
Regis had a couple more chances to get on the board, with one of their shots from Andie Rylance being saved once again by Wieczorek. However, Fernanda Rodriguez got a chance to score off a free kick in the 86th minute and managed to get it past Wieczorek to give the Rangers hope.
The Rangers had one more look at goal from Mya Pasion, but her shot went just left of the goal as the Mavs held on for the upset.
The Mavs outshot the Rangers 16-7, with Duncan scoring her eighth goal of the year while Mairs scored her fourth. Arenibas and Bariao-Arce also picked up assists. Wieczorek added three saves to her day as well.
The RMAC Championship match is set for Nov. 7 at 4 p.m. inside the Regis Turf Fields. Tickets are available on the RMAC website.
