On Friday, September 29^th, the CCU women's soccer team traveled to Pueblo to take on the Thunderwolves of CSU – Pueblo. Coming into the match-up the Cougars had yet to notch a point in conference play with a 0-3 record. The Thunderwolves were on the opposite side of the table, sporting a 3-0 record in the RMAC, and claiming the highest goal total in the conference as well.
 
CCU started off the first half started very strong as they took the field with an evident and intentional aggression that led to the Cougars dominating possession for much of the first half. That aggression paid dividends early when the Cougars took the lead just eight minutes into the game. A free kick taken from roughly 40 yards out by senior Lauren Cardoza made its way to the center box and found junior Kennady McCullough for her first goal of the season.
 
Unfortunately, that lead would not last long, as the Thunderwolves would score a minute and a half later. That goal would even the score at 1-1 for another 20 minutes when Pueblo would net another to go ahead. Both goals were tallied by the RMAC goal leader, Mackenzie Bean.
 
Fifteen minutes later the teams took to the field after halftime the Thunderwolves took back to their scoring ways, tacking on another goal in the 52^nd minute. At this point the Cougars could have understandably mailed in the rest of the game, being down a pair of scores to the highest scoring offense and stingiest defense in the conference. They could have, but they didn't.
 
The Cougars kept attacking, and pushing, and pressing the action, and they were rewarded for their efforts. Sophomore Maddison Hogan scored in the 82^nd minute off a rebounded shot that she was able to wrangle in and put in the back of the net. The Cougars wasted no time celebrating and hurried the ball back to mid-field as there was still work to be done.
 
With just seven minutes left in the game CCU still had to score to force overtime. Freshman Stephanie Muchow would answer the call for the third goal. The Cougars would capitalize on another free kick. Setting up and taking a free kick from roughly 45 yards out, the Cougars would get the ball inside the 18-yard box, tussle around a bit, and ultimately senior Alyssa Regalado found Muchow who would score on a header that she lifted over the Pueblo goalies head to send the game to extra time.
 
Overtime would ultimately result in no goals, but it was not without attempts. Freshman goalie Ireland VanDyke would make her first start of the season, and be the first keeper for CCU this year to play the full game. VanDyke saved eight shots over the course of 110 minutes, and overtime saw Vandyke make three of those saves, including one shining save with four minutes left in the second overtime. The shot came in like a rocket from just outside the box and VanDyke had a beat on it the whole way.
 
Even though CCU didn't walk away with a win, the Cougars did manage a draw that snapped a three-game losing streak. Positives abound after this result, including the fact that CCU is the first team to score more than one goal on CSU – Pueblo this season. This final brings CCU to 3-5-1 on the season and 0-3-1 in the RMAC. The Cougars will be back home on Sunday, October 1^st, at 1:00 p.m. at Trailblazer Stadium.