Women’s Soccer: Rocky Mountain Defeats Carroll in Thrilling Conference Opener
Billings, MT — In a highly anticipated rematch, the Rocky Mountain College women’s soccer team faced off against Carroll College in their Cascade Collegiate Conference opener, marking another thrilling chapter in their rivalry. After a tense scoreless encounter last season that culminated in a narrow 1-0 victory for Rocky, this latest meeting ended with a similar outcome — a single-goal margin.
The Bears opened the match decisively, scoring their first goal in the 21st minute when freshman defender Grace Curnow sent a shot on target that unexpectedly found its way past Carroll’s goalkeeper, Maria Ackerman. Following this early breakthrough, senior forward Emma Lensing continued to assert herself as a key player, contributing to her team’s success with her sixth goal of the season. Lensing’s efforts were highlighted midway through the second half when a collision with a defender allowed her shot to trickle into an unguarded net, extending Rocky’s lead to 2-0.
In a strategic play shortly thereafter, Lensing executed a quick corner kick, delivering the ball to teammate Georgia Dean. Dean, known for her calculated approach, dribbled into position and returned the ball to Lensing, whose shot was deflected in by junior forward Mya Maack, further solidifying Rocky’s lead at 3-0.
Though Rocky held a commanding position, the final minutes of the match saw Carroll (2-2-2) mounting a surprising comeback. With both teams introducing substitutes, Carroll capitalized on their opportunities, managing to score twice in the waning moments of the game. However, it was not enough to alter the outcome, resulting in a 3-2 victory for the Bears.
Rocky’s win moves them to a record of 3-1-0 for the season, showcasing their growth and determination as they aim for further success in conference play. The team’s performance not only builds on last year’s momentum but also signals an encouraging start for their campaign this season.
For highlights of the match, fans can watch Rocky’s impressive start against Carroll as they look forward to maintaining their winning streak in upcoming matches.
