The Mesa State women’s soccer team opened up home conference play this week with a matchup against #13 ranked and conference rival Fort Lewis college Wednesday. The Lady Mavs controlled the ball and tempo for most of the game, but failed to convert on numerous scoring chances as they lost the contest by a final score of 0-2.
The Lady Mavs continued home play Friday against Adams State. The Mavs didn’t waste time taking control of the game, scoring on a penalty kick by junior Sara Islas midway through the first half. The ladies never looked back adding goals in the 54th and 56th minute and out-shot Adams State 29-4 to lock up their first conference victory.
The Lady Mavs came out with a different look on Sunday. Supporting breast cancer awareness, the Mavs broke out the pink uniforms. In front of a packed Walker Field crowd, they took on the Mountain Lions of the University of Colorado at Colorado springs. The Lady Mavs fell behind early after letting the Mountain Lions score less than two minutes in. Shortly after, junior Sara Islas put in her second goal of the season evening up the score at 1. The tie didn’t last long, however, as the Mountain Lions scored two more goals in the first half going into the break with a 3-1 lead. The Mavs opened up the second half continuing their season long theme of controlling the ball created numerous scoring chances. Their hard work paid off with a goal coming from the foot of senior Daniela Ramirez in the 75th minute. Despite out-shooting their opponent 22-8, the Mavs failed to put in an equalizer in the back of the net falling to the lady Mountain Lions by a score of 2-3. The loss put the Mavs at 3-5-1 overall and 1-3 in conference. This doesn’t shake the confidence of the Maverick soccer team.
“We know we can beat any team we play, we really trust that, we just have to put 90 minutes together. We keep thinking we can come out in the second half and take over, we can’t fall in love with that mind set. We have to start from minute one,” Ramirez said.
Coach Erin Sharpe knows that better days are on the horizon for this squad.
“It’s tough when you dominate your opponent like we did, but got to get better in the big five, the first five minutes of the half and the first  five minutes after any goal. We know we’re one of the most talented teams in the country, we can go as far as we want to. We also have to be disciplined in our play, not come out flat,” Sharpe said.
Coach Sharpe didn’t lose perspective of what was really important about the game.
“Everyone has someone that has been affected by breast cancer, we’ve been able to raise an average of $2,000 a season for research, thats something we’re proud of,” Sharpe said.
The Mavs take on Colorado State University Pueblo Friday at Walker Field.
chughes@mesastate.edu