The Fort Lewis College (FLC) soccer teams are gearing up for a weekend full of action, showcasing the competitive spirit of both the men’s and women’s squads.
Men’s Soccer Team Faces St. Edward’s
The FLC men’s soccer team put on an exhilarating display during their recent match against St. Edward’s University on Thursday. Known for their strong second-half performances this season, the Skyhawks equalized three times, resulting in a 3-3 draw that preserved their unbeaten record.
As the match progressed, both teams registered a total of 20 shots, with FLC edging St. Edward’s 9-8 in shots on goal. The Skyhawks also dominated corner kicks with a 9-2 advantage, while the fouls were evenly contested—FLC was penalized with 13 fouls compared to St. Edward’s 6.
Although the first half ended scoreless, St. Edward’s struck early in the second half with Filip Adamski scoring just after the break. FLC responded with freshman Yohann Fila, who netted his first goal of the season in the 54th minute, leveling the score at 1-1. Francisco Pinto initiated the play, and after a save from St. Edward’s goalkeeper Angel Ramirez, Fila capitalized on the rebound.
St. Edward’s regained the lead in the 62nd minute with a goal from Shunji Watanabe. However, FLC faced a setback when junior midfielder Frank Castro received a second yellow card and was sent off, forcing the Skyhawks to finish the match with ten players.
Undeterred, FLC’s offense surged, and Fila scored again in the 77th minute, tying the match at 2-2. Just two minutes later, fellow freshman Alessio Andreottola scored from almost 30 yards out, giving FLC a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately for the Skyhawks, St. Edward’s responded late in the match when Adamski scored in the 86th minute to equalize once more.
The Skyhawks, who are currently ranked No. 9, faced off against Division II’s No. 17 St. Mary’s University on Saturday, although the result was not available at press time.
Women’s Soccer Team Shines Against Eastern New Mexico
Meanwhile, the FLC women’s soccer team continued their unbeaten streak with a dominant 5-0 victory over Eastern New Mexico. The game highlighted the team’s depth, as three bench players found the back of the net, showcasing the squad’s offensive prowess.
“The team that we beat was a team that we should beat,” said FLC head coach Damian Clarke. “Scoring five goals is always a good feeling for the group. Having an opportunity to practice scoring goals in games doesn’t come by that often, so it was good.”
This win improved FLC’s record to 2-0-1, while Eastern New Mexico fell to 0-2. The rainy conditions in Durango added an element of challenge, affecting ball control, but Clarke believed the team could have performed even better.
In the match, senior forward Anna Tucker opened the scoring in the 25th minute, followed by junior forward Abila Tapia, who netted another goal in the 38th minute. The Skyhawks maintained a 2-0 lead at halftime. The scoring resumed in the second half when Tapia scored again in the 52nd minute. Redshirt freshman Kiana Jamerson and Isla Witham also joined the scoresheet, contributing two more goals in the 60th and 66th minutes, respectively.
The women’s team also had their match against Lubbock Christian University on Saturday, with results pending at press time.
For further inquiries, contact bkelly@durangoherald.com.
