DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Women's Soccer team started its 2025 season with a 4-1 home opener victory over Minot State University (N.D.) Thursday night. The Rangers start the season 1-0, while the Beavers start 0-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Rangers would start aggressively on offense, taking three shots, with one on goal, before Brooke Castillo found Fernanda Rodriguez on the baseline for a shot that just cleared the keeper's glove and found the net, 14 minutes into the match. At the 24:17 mark, Elsie Miller set up for her first collegiate corner kick and scored to put RU up 2-0.

However, after the Regis keeper Helen Stegner saved the Beaver's first shot on goal, MSU's Brittney Egbert intercepted the clear, and fired a shot right back that got Minot State on the board. With under two minutes left in the half, Miller took another corner kick, which would find Paige Davis, putting RU ahead 3-1 going into the break.

Stegner started the second half with another save, and while the Rangers were unable to capitalize on a penalty kick, Andie Rylance led Elsa Nolen perfectly for a shot that extended the lead to 4-1. The Regis defense would take over for the last 30 minutes of the contest, only allowing three more shots from the Beavers, two of which were saved by Stegner.

"I was really happy about how we were team over self today," said Head Coach Jeff Frykholm. "With a lot of new players this year, our focus the last couple of weeks was all about learning how we play together."

"It was a lot of fun," said Castillo. "We are a really technical team, and we were able to break them down nicely tonight.

Minot State allowed just 10 goals last season, and the Rangers put in four tonight. Frykholm added, "We were very opportunistic, scoring in different ways. It's all about doing the hard work to earn those opportunities at the goal."

"That's something to be really proud of, but we are not done yet," concluded Castillo.

GAME NOTES

·        Miller led the way with three points in the match

·        Six Rangers landed a shot on target

·        Natalie Bunch took three shots, while Davis took two

·        Stegner (1-0) earned the win with five saves, while Rebecca Sargent (0-1) recorded the loss with two saves

·        It is the Rangers' first season-opening win since 2022

UP NEXT

The Rangers look ahead to a matchup at Dallas Baptist University (Texas), who is ranked #15 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 25 Poll, on Saturday, September 6 at 8 pm.