DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Women's Soccer team, who were receiving votes in the most recent United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll, dominated Emporia State University (Kan.) on Friday night en route to a 3-1 victory. The Rangers improve to 4-1, while the Hornets fall to 2-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After Helen Stegner saved and early shot on goal from the hornets, Morgan Black, the reigning RMAC Defensive Player of the Week, put ahead a ball that split two defenders, setting up Fernanda Rodriguez for a goal from the right side of the box that found the left side of the net. A second shot by her was saved a minute later, and a third was out top right. After a pair of Stegner saves, Elsa Nolen, who was named the RMAC Offensive Player of the week last week, set up Rodriguez at the top of the box, and her shot was true for the second time in the match. However, when the Hornets set up for a corner with under 10 minutes in the half, ESU fired from the scrum and snuck the ball past the Rangers to get on the board. The half would then expire with no more shots taken.

At halftime, the Rangers honored members of the 2025 Regis Athletics Hall of Fame class, including the 2001 Women's Soccer team that went 18-1-1, which will be inducted on Saturday.

The game would get physical in the second, as ESU received a pair of yellow cards just six minutes in. The second came after an unsuccessful Ranger penalty kick, but that allowed Rodriguez to line up for a try, and she would succeed, scoring her third goal of the match. The Rangers' defense would not relax down the stretch, as they allowed just two more shot attempts by the Hornets, and neither would be on target. Aaliah Barwick took a late shot, as RU cruised to the 3-1 win.

"She really is a special, crafty player," Head Coach Jeff Frykholm said of Rodriguez. "She's coming back from some injuries, and this was the kind of game we were waiting for."

"As a team, I was happy with our composure. They are a physical team, that gave us some different looks than we have seen so far."

He added about the Hall of Fame Game "We wanted the girls to really take it all in, how special of a night this is. We look up to teams like that, and they brought a special energy to the game."

"They are our role models," added Rodriguez. "And having them here tonight pushed us that little bit more, and it showed on the field."

GAME NOTES

·         Rodriguez took six shots, with five on target and three goals

·         Nolen and Natalie Bunch also had shots on target

·         Regis took 13 shots to nine from Emporia, and four corners to just one by ESU

·         Stegner saved five shots in 45:00 minutes of play

UP NEXT

The Rangers return to action on Sunday at 1 pm, welcoming California State University, San Bernardino.