DURANGO, Colo. – The Regis University Softball team, ranked #18 in the most recent IWLCA Top 25 Coaches Poll, defeated Fort Lewis College (Colo.), 18-5, on the road Thursday afternoon. The Rangers improve to 9-5 (5-1 RMAC), while the Skyhawks fall to 0-8 (0-6 RMAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

After Lauren Sheets won the opening draw, the Rangers recorded a pair of near misses, with Aubrey Benton and Rome Villani both hitting the post on their shots. Evie Tanella would find the net at 11:36 for the first goal of the game, but Fort Lewis had an answer two minutes later. Brigit Goetsch saved a pair of attempts late in the period, as the first quarter ended in a 1-1 tie.

The Rangers took control of the match in the second, as Villani converted a free position shot, quickly followed by a Sheets-assisted goal for Benton. Less than two minutes later, Maggie Schipfer scored a free position goal. Lexie Springman picked up a ground ball, and took it all the way for the goal, and at 6:03, FLC finally ended the run. Springman scored again after Villani won the draw, and with under a minute in the period, completed the hat trick period to go up, 7-2.

Regis kept the momentum going into the second half, with Benton and Krista Munsinger scoring quick goals. The Skyhawks added a goal, but RU continued to add to the lead as Benton scored again, and Springman found the net on a pass from Schipfer. The squads traded a few goals to close out the period, and new keeper Izzy Schember saved a pair, leaving the score at 12-5 going into the fourth.

The Rangers did not let off the pressure in the fourth, with Schipfer and Benton scoring goals under a minute in. Elle Enselman assisted Schipfer, and Schipfer set up Benton to extend the lead to 16-5. Defensively, the Rangers did not allow the Skyhawks a shot on goal, and Eva Searle and Springman both scored free position goals to close out the game, 18-5.

GAME NOTES

·        Schipfer and Springman both recorded seven points from five goals and two assists

·        Benton scored five times and caused two turnovers

·        Enselman controlled five draws

·        Sophia Katnik picked up four ground balls

·        Brigit Goetsch posted seven saves in just 23 minutes of work

·        Piper Price recorded three points

UP NEXT

The Rangers are back in action on Saturday, April 4 at Colorado State University-Pueblo.