Regis took on the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks in the first round of the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer tournament, defeating them 3-0 in 90 minutes. The women came out to Dirks Field in Durango, Colo. with enough intensity to place two goals in the back of the Maverick goal within the first 13 minutes of play.
In the 12th minute, forward CC Rinehart sent the ball to midfielder Marissa Davis from the top of the 18 yard box. Davis, from 12 yards out, fought through Mesa's defenders and sent a sliding shot into the bottom right of the goal, bringing the Rangers up 1-0 early on in the match.
"It was a definite team effort on the goal and the win," started Davis. "We played very well, came out hard and strong from the beginning."
With the first goal still fresh in their minds, the women gained possession again in the 13th minute. Midfielder Heidi Chandler sent a corner kick toward the Maverick goal that was cleared and sent back to her. Chandler crossed the ball into the pack still in front of the goal. Ranger defender Taylor White took the cross off the hip and sent it into the goal for the second goal in less than two minutes.
The women settled into the game until an opportunity presented itself in the second half. Chandler earned the ball from 35 yards out and passed to forward Meghan Stuart on the left. Stuart, from just off the end line crossed the ball toward the goal. The ball banked off the far right post, staying right outside the goal line. Forward Lauren Dorsey-Spitz was in the right spot to finish the play with a goal.
"We held the game well and did not let them get behind us" commented Stuart. "The energy was high all along starting at pregame in the locker room which always helps."
Goalkeeper Nicole Eddings had a few key saves in the first half to keep Mesa scoreless. She recorded five saves on the day before fellow keeper Ellen Augsburger took over in between the Ranger posts. Augsburger tallied one save in her 14 minutes of action.
"It was a very efficient performance today, we did what we needed to do which is jump early and score" commented head coach JB Belzer. "22 players played today which is important for our team's psyche, physical health and our confidence as we go forward in the tournament."
The Rangers move on to the second round and will play Sunday, October 13th against Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo.
