The Colorado Mesa University women’s soccer team left for California last Wednesday to take on Minot State and California Polytech Pomona. After picking up two exhibition wins in Denver and in Utah the past two weekends, The Lady Mavs dropped both games in California.

“We controlled the ball well all weekend and put up a good fight, but unfair calls from referees made it hard to come back,” goalkeeper Arielle Harris said.

The Mavs lost both games 2-1. In the opening game against the Minot State Beavers, the Mavs fell behind in the 71st minute, 1-0. Freshman Daniela Salina’s brought them back with a goal, pushing the ball past the left side of the Beaver goalie and tying the game at 1-1. With a quick rebuttle, Minot scored again in the next minute sealing a 2-1 victory for the Beavers. The Mavs were outshot 17-5. Sara Islas and Taylor Franklin combined for 6 shots that were on goal, although none of them found the back of the net.

In game two against Cal Poly Pomona, junior Kaselyn Butters scored the only goal for the Mavs in the 8th minute to tie the game at 1-1. Pomona then came back to score again in the first half to win 2-1. Freshman Sarah Schnetzler got the start at goalkeeper with 5 saves in the loss.

Coach Erin Sharpe said she was very proud of her team.

“They put up a huge fight,” Sharpe said.

The Lady Mavs host Dixie State this Thursday at Walker Field at 7 p.m.

tagross@mavs.coloradomesa.edu