After finishing the season with an impressive record of 12-2-4, Women’s soccer delivered a noteworthy postseason performance, making deep runs in both the RMAC tournament and the national tournament.
RMAC Quarterfinals vs. Westminster: 2-1 (OT)
The Mountain Lions kicked off their postseason by hosting University of Westminster (UW), who they tied with at zero’s, just one week prior to their Nov. 9 bout.
After trading scoring opportunities through the first 40 minutes, it would be UW to score the first goal of the season series, taking a 1-0 lead in the first 41 minutes.
Just when it looked like the Mountain Lions were going to head into the half trailing, junior midfielder Taylynn Levi cashed in on her third goal of the season, tying the game 1-1 at the 42 minute mark.
It didn’t show on the scoreboard, but UCCS dominated second half play, outshooting the Griffins 9-3. Despite the push, UW kept the game knotted 1-1 until the whistle at 90 minutes, forcing overtime.
The first half of overtime was all the Mountain Lions yet again, but a strong defensive effort by UW kept the game tied heading into the second half of overtime.
It would be redshirt sophomore forward and leading goal scorer Abby Stassi who broke the tie and pushed UCCS to the RMAC Semifinals after scoring in minute 106, giving the Mountain Lions a 2-1 victory.
RMAC Semifinals vs. Colorado School of Mines: 1-1 (CSM Advances on PKs 5-4)
The Mountain Lions traveled to Grand Junction for their semifinal matchup against Colorado School of Mines, looking to avenge their 2-1 regular-season loss.
UCCS came out strong, creating multiple scoring chances in the first 20 minutes, but was unsuccessful in their efforts. Junior goalkeeper Nylah Mirshafiei set the tone defensively, making a diving save on a Mines penalty kick.
After action had died for a bit, the RMAC leading goal scorer Bella Campos opened the scoring, giving the Orediggers a 1-0 halftime lead.
After the break, the Mountain Lions answered by tying the match with redshirt sophomore Mikaela Carlson delivering a cross into the box and Abby Stassi finishing at the far post.
With neither team able to break through down the stretch, the match went into overtime and eventually penalty kicks. After successful conversions from Levi, Carlson, Stassi, and sophomore defender Elise Broberg, Mines edged UCCS 5-4 in the 10th round, later defeating Colorado Mesa 1-0 to claim the RMAC Championship.
NCAA Division II Tournament, South Central Region Quarterfinal vs. Midwestern State: 1-0
Following their RMAC Semifinal loss against the CSM Mines, UCCS was given the No. 3 seed in the South Central Region of the NCAA Division II Tournament. In their first matchup against the Midwestern State Mustangs the Mountain Lions dominated the first half of this game
UCCS outshot Midwestern State in shots on goal with 11-3 in the opening 45 minutes, with their final attempt finding the back of the net to give UCCS a 1-0 lead going into halftime.
It was Mikaela Carlson yet again, generating a chance for the Mountain Lions when she sent a corner kick to the back post for sophomore midfielder Casey Tadlock, who headed it in to give UCCS the lead going into the break.
The one goal lead would end up being enough for the Mountain Lions as Mirshafiei collected two saves in the second half, boosting UCCS to a 1-0 win.
NCAA Division II Tournament, South Central Region Semifinal vs. Colorado School of Mines: 1-1 (UCCS Advances on PKs 3-1)
With the sting of a loss in the RMAC Semifinal still lingering, UCCS would not let Mines get the better of them in this matchup.
The first half of action ended scoreless, but with a flurry of chances for each side as the Mountain Lions outshot Mines 6-5.
The game broke open at 74 minutes when sophomore forward Brooke Pavlich made her way into the box, rifling a shot which was saved by CSM. The rebound redirected to Stassi, who sent it into the right corner, giving UCCS a 1-0 lead with 16 minutes left to play.
It wouldn’t take long for CSM to respond as a well-executed corner tied the game 1-1. This result would stick until the final whistle, as these teams were going into overtime yet again.
Much like their RMAC Semifinal game, two back and forth overtime periods resulted in zero goals, meaning this one would also come down to PKs.
Levi, Carlson and Broberg all converted on their PK opportunities, pushing the Mountain Lions further in the tournament as UCCS advanced 3-1 on PKs.
NCAA Division II Tournament, South Central Region Final vs. Dallas Baptist: 2-3 (OT)
Dallas Baptist University came into the NCAA Division II Tournament ranked No. 1 in the country and UCCS gave them everything they could ask for in the South Central Region Final.
UCCS found themselves on the ropes early as DBU cashed in on just the second minute of the game, giving them a 1-0 lead.
Senior midfielder Emily Aguilar answered for the Mountain Lions, depositing a header from a crosser sent in by Broberg to tie the match 1-1 at 40 minutes.
It was Aguilar once again who came out of the break and beat the DBU goaltender one-on-one after junior midfielder Luka Johnson sent the ball forward on the right wing, giving UCCS a 2-1 lead at 54 minutes.
Just four minutes later DBU narrowly snuck one in the right post to make it 2-2.
Offense was on display through the final 10 minutes of the half, but neither team could capitalize, sending the game into overtime.
It only took 50 seconds in the first overtime period for DBU to find the back of the net, sending DBU through to the National Quarterfinal.
Final Thoughts
UCCS women’s soccer capped off a fantastic season, taking the number one team in the country to the brink of elimination. I know it wasn’t the result they were looking for, but they fought tooth and nail to stay in each tournament, never conceding a loss in regulation throughout the entirety of their postseason.
While they weren’t able to take home a championship in either of their tournament runs, the future is looking bright for head coach J.B. Belzer and crew, with only two graduating seniors, midfielder Emily Aguilar and forward Jessica Rockwell.
They will return five of their top six-point scorers along with starting goalkeeper Nylah Mirshafiei who made 59 saves this season.
Photo from GoMountainlions.