GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- Playing their first home match of the season, the Colorado Mesa University women's soccer team claimed a hard-fought victory against the Fort Lewis Skyhawks 1-0. The Mavericks extend their regular season winning streak at home to 17 as they earn their third RMAC win of the season.
The Mavs went on the attack right away as
Parker Mairs fired the first shot of the game just 44 seconds in but it sailed over the crossbar.
Jenelle Arenibas got a shot off five minutes later but her shot sailed right of the post.
The Mavs continued to turn up the heat in the ninth minute as they continued to build up play in the Skyhawks area of defense. Arenibas moved past the defense and delivered the ball to
Olivia Bariao-Arce who fired a shot into the bottom right corner, giving their first home goal of the season. Bariao-Arce had another go at goal a few minutes later but her chance was blocked by the defense.
The first shot for the Skyhawks came in the 16th minute but it missed left of the goal. The Mavs then went on the attack once again as Arenibas,
Mari Ige,
Ellie Duncan and
Kylie Hoffman all had chances to score but all of their shots missed the mark.
The Mavs had two more shots from
Vanessa Pirrello and
Olivia Barrett but both came up short once again. The Skyhawks fired one more shot from long distance in the dying minutes of the first half but it was saved by
Keely Wieczorek.
The second half began the same way as the first, with the Mavs on the attack in the first seven minutes as
Angelina Kazinec and Arenibas both had their shots dealt with by the Skyhawks defense. The Skyhawks had a chance in the 54th minute but it missed the goalpost once again.
The game proceeded to get physical as both teams were awarded fouls and yellow cards, but both defenses continued to hold firm and thwart any scoring chances.
Savanah Miller had an opportunity just before the 83rd minute to extend the lead but it came up empty. The Skyhawks attempted to find an equalizer but both of their chances landed safely in the arms of Wieczorek as the Mavs held on for the win.
The Mavs outshot the Skyhawks 19-8 and didn't allow a goal for a fifth consecutive game. Arenibas led the team in shots with four and added an assist to Bariao-Arce, who scored her second goal of the season. Wieczorek finished the evening with three saves and continued her shutout streak.
The Mavs head to Gunnison to take on the Western Colorado Mountaineers on Sept. 27. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. inside Katy O. Raty Field.
