The CCU women's soccer team traveled to Las Vegas, NM on Friday to take on the Cowgirls of New Mexico Highlands University in week two of RMAC play. The Cougars scored twice on their way to their first conference win of the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: The first half started off with a bang as the Cougars took a quick 1-0 lead off Stephanie Muchow's 4th minute goal that was placed ever so perfectly in the top far corner of the net. The goal was her second of the season. Not long after that goal Renee De La Torre put another shot in the back of the net that was initially called a goal, but it was called off a moment later. The Cougars would take their 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
 
The second half began as a defensive struggle with the two teams exchanging possession throughout the first 15 minutes. Then, in the 64th minute, the Cowgirls leveled the score at one each with a long, crossing shot that floated just over keeper Ireland VanDyke's fingertips. The game seemed to be heading into overtime again as the clock neared 90 minutes, but a flurry of Cougar shots produced an opportunity for Amanda Lopez who scored her second goal of the season, and first game-winner, in the 89th minute to seal the Cougars first RMAC victory of 2018.
 
QUOTES: Head coach Tammy McPherson had this to say about today's much needed win. "We played great on Friday against Mesa and then Sunday [against Western] we just didn't show up. So we had a really hard practice on Tuesday addressing the issue that in life you don't get the choice not to show up, so making that a reality today was huge for us because it was kind of do or die. It was a total team effort and morale booster and continues to keep everyone confident and bought in in what we are trying to do."
 
Coach also expanded on what the victory means for the team, "Today's win reminded us that when we play as a team and show up and prepare mentally and physically, good things will happen. That doesn't mean we will always going to get a good result, but when we show up ready to play we should hopefully get the win."

GAME LEADERS:

• Stephanie Muchow took the team lead in points, five, on her first half goal.
• With their scores toayd, Amanda Lopez and Muchow are now the only Cougars with multiple goals on the season.
• Renee De La Torre leads the team in assists with two so far this season. 

UP NEXT: The Cougars will travel to Pueblo on Sunday, September 23^rd to take on the Thunderwolves of CSU-Pueblo. The Cougars will be looking to improve to .500 on the season while the Thunderwolves will still be in search of their first RMAC victory.