DENVER – The Regis University women's soccer team kicked off its 2019 campaign with a 1-1 draw against San Francisco State during a weather-shortened, 70-minute match at Regis Match Pitch on Friday.
 
"I thought we played really attacking soccer and I was pleased with many individual performances," said Regis head coach J.B. Belzer. "We were up a goal at halftime and we conceded in the second half, which is always frustrating. But, I told the kids, 'Look, sometimes the bounces don't go your way. But you attacked the game today, you were on the front foot, you are disappointed to have taken a tie today, and the other team was pleased to have gotten the tie today.'
 
"That's kind of I think mentally where we're at right now."
 
How It Happened: Senior midfielder Emily Ramos ran to the right of the opposing goal and crossed a shot off the hands of Gators sophomore goalkeeper Sommer Harrington in the 38th minute. The deflection was fielded immediately by junior forward Carly Bych, who then launched the rebound into the upper-right corner of the goal box to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
 
Bych had entered into the game just a few minutes earlier.
 
Less than eight minutes into the 25-minute second half, SFSU answered with an unassisted goal of its own when junior midfielder Matilda Cassel Ledin found the back of the net to even the score, 1-1.
 
Due to lightning in the area, the game's start time was pushed back more than an hour. The game was shortened to 70 minutes since there is no stadium lighting, and as a result, visibility was seen as an issue to the players' safety.
 
Regis proved to be the more active team on offense, tallying nine shots to the Gators' seven. This included the opening 45 minutes in which RU outshot SFSU, 6-3. For the game, the Gators edged the Rangers in shots-on-goal, 4-3.
 
Game Notes: Bych (1 G, 1 S, 1 SOG) was credited with Regis' first goal for the 2019 season. Ramos (1 A, 1 S, 1 SOG) earned the contest's only assist, while senior midfielder Tori Rinsem (4 S, 1 SOG) ended with the game-high in shots. Junior goalkeeper Julia Coombs (3 SV, 1 GA) prevented the Gators from ever acquiring the lead in the game.
 
Up Next for the Rangers: The Rangers conclude their weekend and their opening homestand against another California Collegiate Athletic Association foe in Chico State (0-1-0) on Sunday. Kickoff is set for noon.
 
With Friday's season-opening result in the books, Belzer wants his players to direct their attention to the Wildcats.
 
"Now we have to shift and turn our focus to Chico State, a very good opponent, and go get three points on Sunday," Belzer said.