COLORADO SPRINGS, CO- The Cougars fell to UCCS 3-1 on Thursday evening, falling short in a back-and-forth match. Despite a fantastic goal and several opportunities, the Cougars leave the Springs still seeking their first conference win.
The Mountain Lions would open the scoring in the 10th minute, taking an early 1-0 lead off an unfortunate deflection in the CCU box. Taking advantage of their home turf and moving the ball well, UCCS would continue to put pressure on the CCU backline, netting a second goal just 5 minutes before the halftime whistle.
The Cougars created several opportunities of their own in the first half, with
Kayla Truong hitting the woodwork in the 14th minute and
Ava Haas forcing a save from the UCCS goalkeeper in the 28th minute. CCU goalkeeper
Kenzie Kunitz also kept the Cougars within striking distance, making four first-half saves.
CCU would come out of the halftime break ready to respond, cutting into the deficit just minutes into the second half.
Alexis Byrd would find the back of the net in the 49th minute to bring the Cougars within one at 2-1. A fast break from a defensive corner would see Byrd pour on her speed from her own 18, driving the ball down into the opponent's end. Byrd would chip the keeper 30 years out, a gutsy but brilliant idea, watching the ball fly over the Mountain Lion keeper's head to put the Cougars within 1 and for Byrd's 5th goal of the season.
UCCS would answer in the 69th minute, adding its third goal of the night to push the lead back to two and snuff out any comeback. The Cougars continued to battle throughout the remainder of the match, with
Claire Leight nearly finding the back of the net late as her volley hit the crossbar in the 86th minute.
Kunitz finished the night with five saves, while CCU recorded six total shots, including two on goal. Byrd led the Cougars with a goal and one shot on target, the Cougars finding the woodwork several times on the night.
A trip to Alamosa for a matchup with Adams State, the Cougars look to Sunday the 27th, for their next matchup. A vital game to keep the Cougars post-game hopes alive, kickoff is set for 1:30pm MST.
