DURANGO, Colo. Western Colorado needed to defeat Fort Lewis today (Oct. 26) to give themselves a shot at making it to the playoffs. However, late in the second half the Skyhawks were able to score the equalizing goal on a corner kick – resulting in the game and the Mountaineers season ending in a 1-1 tie.
 
Western Colorado has a lot to be proud of as they finished with a 6-10-2 overall record, the best record the Mountaineers have had since the 2016 season, when they finished with a 6-9-2 overall record. Under head coach Amanda Raso Western has improved their win total every season, showing that the future is very bright for the program. Additionally, the Mountaineers will only lose one player from this year's roster, captain Alex Mason.
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Western Colorado ties Fort Lewis 1-1.
Records: Western Colorado 6-10-1, Fort Lewis 6-10-1.
Location: Dirks Field; Durango, Colo.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Over halfway through the first half, the Mountaineers got the goal they needed thanks to Caileen Sienknecht who connected perfectly, from 35-yard outs, with the ball off the bounce and snuck it past the goalkeepers out stretch handed for the goal.
• Heading into halftime Western held a 1-0 lead and needed to just keep the Skyhawks off the board to give them a shot at making the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament.
• Unfortunately, Fort Lewis was able to tie the game with 10 minutes left to go (80:56) on a corner kick.
• The Mountaineers went immediately on the attack and earned three corner kicks – which led to Sienknecht getting a shot off, that went off the crossbar and Mary Wilson getting a shot on goal that was saved by the Skyhawks goalie.
• Western finished the game with five shots total, four being on goal. For Fort Lewis, they took 22 shots in the game, nine being on goal.