Women’s soccer wraps up season, highlights senior players in final game

October 31, 2016

Gabbie Matl

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     As of Oct. 28, the UCCS women’s soccer team’s overall record was 2-11-1, which was a step back for the team from last year.

     The team finished their season on Oct. 30 with their final RMAC game against New Mexico Highlands University, where they honored their two senior players, midfielder Jess Freeze and forward Michaela Mansfield.

     The team faced a tough rebuilding year, after losing many experienced players from the year before when the team had the most successful season in UCCS history.

     Last year, the team had a record of 11-7-2, winning their first playoff game in a 2-0 victory against New Mexico Highlands.

     Three players were selected for the NSCAA All-Region team, and Mansfield became the first student-athlete to reach the All-America ballot for the Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association team.

     Junior forward Bailee Jameson said those players were an important part of the team and made huge contributions to last year’s winning season.

     “The seniors last year were a huge form of leadership, and skill wise they were great,” said Jameson, a sports management major.

     This year’s team had a hard time adjusting, and according to Jameson, their record didn’t show their effort.

     “I think we have a lot of hard workers. I think we try really hard, but sometimes it just doesn’t reflect that way,” said Jameson.

     The team played against Regis University on Oct. 23, losing 1-4. UCCS lost with seven shots, two shots on goal, seven saves and 14 fouls.

     Despite their losing record, the players found ways to come together as a team and enjoy the season, according to Mansfield, a sports management major.

     “We have really good team chemistry, everyone gets along really well, which really helps both on the field and off the field,” said Mansfield.

     The team won their game against Western State University on Oct. 9, beating the team 3-2. Mansfield scored her first ever hat-trick, making goals at the 5th, 13th and 65th minutes, with the help of two assists by Jameson.

     “We put three goals in right away basically and they just couldn’t do anything. As a team we just felt really happy coming off the field,” said Jameson.

     Mansfield and Jameson both led the team in shots and points, with Jameson topping the charts in assists and Mansfield tying with Freeze in game winning shots.

     The team works as hard in the classroom as the do on the field, and many have been added to the 2016 RMAC Women’s Soccer All-Academic Honor Roll.

     This includes nine of the 31 players on the team.

     Mansfield was named the RMAC preseason player of the year this fall and the RMAC Women’s Soccer AllAcademic First Team with a cumulative GPA of 3.67.

     The senior led the team by scoring 49 shots and 10 goals this season. Mansfield holds the program record with 60 points, 25 goals, 178 shots and 88 shots on goal in total.

     Mansfield was also named to the 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-District Women’s Soccer First-Team. In November, she will advance to the CoSIDA Academic AllAmerica Team ballot, where first, second and third-team All-American honorees will be selected.

     Mansfield attributes her success to her love and passion for the game and her teammates.

     “The girls on the team really do make it worth playing, and for me brings out that passion and love for the game. Playing with girls who have become my family and friends is just really important,” said Mansfield.