The Colorado Mesa University women’s soccer team walked into Walker Field one last time for the 2019 season Sunday with hopes that they could get into the RMAC tournament and that is where they found their motivation for a hopeful victory
Sadly it was a 0-0 tie against Westminster College that ended the season for the Mavericks.
“The motivation was easy today for us because Adams State actually beat Pueblo so we had a chance back at the tournament if we got three points today so that is where the drive and attack came from,” Head Coach Dani Thurman said. “ I think it showed on the field today unfortunately, Ryanne [Parker]’s shot hit the post and we had over chances in overtime and we just could not find the back of the net.”
The Mavericks took several shots on the goal that barely missed the goal. a second-half shot from senior Ryanne Parker hit the goal post but unfortunately did not make it in the goal. The Mavericks had control of the ball for the majority of the game finding many chances to get the victory but came up short.
Goalkeeping has been something that CMU has been really good at all season long with Kamrie Gunderson in the net. Gunderson has found herself starting as goalie for the majority of the season and has done a solid job with keeping opponents from scoring. On Sunday Gunderson played 72 minutes and had three saves before going down with an injury. Emily Signoria came in and completed the game having one gave.
“She is a huge voice in the back for us and it helps bring the energy and organization up in the backline. She is a huge player for us I think when she went down though Emily was fully capable of coming in and she took good care of the job as well,” Thurman said.
The Mavericks found themselves in a 0-0 tie at the end of regulation resulting in another overtime appearance this season. With six shots after the first 90 minutes, the Mavericks were able to shoot the ball only twice in the first overtime but were unable to find the back of the net.
In the second overtime, Maverick offense and defense were in full force and they battled it out until the end. With three seconds left in the game, Westminster had an opportunity with a penalty kick but they were not able to find the net.
“When we have the ball and we are connecting we are a lot more confident like when we lose control and are scrambling for a couple of minutes we just needed to keep it and stay connected,” Thurman said.
“We lose and we go home so we had a winning mindset throughout regulation and both of the overtimes and we just shifted a few more players forward to try to get a harder attack. We have lots of technical players but things did not go our way.”
The women ended the season 8-7-2 overall and 5-6-2 in RMAC play. It was CMU’s first winning season since 2016.
“These girls have worked so hard and they have taken a lot on in just a few months and I am just super proud of them and their fight in their work ethic this year. They just bought in and worked really hard for the coaches and for each other.” Thurman said.
