The Fort Hays State University women’s soccer team (2-2) dropped to .500 on the year as they finished their opening season road trip in Colorado, losing two closely competitive games.
“It’s always tough going out to Colorado, playing in the altitude. We played two really good teams,” said head coach Craig Shaw.
Both contests were lost in 2-1 fashion.
In the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs games, the Tigers scored less than three minutes into the game with forward Kelsey Steffens, Greeley, Colo., freshman scoring off the assist from defender Mallory Diederich, Topeka junior. From that point on the Tigers would be shut out and UCCS would get two goals, one in the first half and the deciding goal coming at the 51 minute mark in the second half.
“Nothing went right for us,” Shaw said. “I thought it was some of the worst soccer we’ve played.”
Shaw is still pretty optimistic after the loss, considering that the Tigers played poorly, but were still in contention to win the game. The Mountain Lions would have 10 shots in the second half with one being the game winner.
“To play badly and only lose 2-1, it’s a good sign,” Shaw said.
Goal keeper Kristen Thompson, Manhattan, red shirt freshman had three saves in 90 minutes of play for the Tigers.
In the first game in Colorado the Tigers took on Colorado State University-Pueblo and took the Thunder Wolves to overtime before dropping the game 2-1.
“I think we were the better team, we just came out flat in the first half,” Shaw said.
CSU-Pueblo scored the opening goal of the game right before intermission at the 38:04 mark to take a 1-0 lead into the break.
In the second half, the Tigers outshot the Thunder Wolves 12-2, and forward Jordan Shaw, Lakewood, Colo., senior was able to get her third goal in the year scoring the equalizer from 18 feet out.
“She stepped up huge for us,” Shaw said. “One of the best goals from long range I’ve seen from her.”
Neither team was able to score after Shaw tied it up, which forced a golden goal situation.
Jasmin Cigarro, who assisted on the first goal for CSU-Pueblo, scored the winning goal after she collected the ball off a corner kick that hit off the right corner of the goal.
“We learned a lot from these two games. We have to come out 100% every game,” Shaw said.
The Tigers will play Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association next with two home games.
“It’s just great being home after being away at long distances and playing tough teams,” Shaw said.
The Tigers will play host to University of Nebraska-Kearney on Friday with the game starting at 6 p.m. and they will play Emporia State University on Sunday starting at 2 p.m.