GUNNISON, Colo. A scoreless game that saw its goalkeepers combine for 18 saves finally saw a ripple in the back of the net as Western Colorado's
Cianna Thomas notched the game-winner in the 86th minute to lift the Mountaineers to a 1-0 non-conference victory over visiting Eastern New Mexico on Thursday evening at Katy O. Rady Field.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Western def. Eastern N.M., 1-0
Records: Western 1-2, Eastern N.M. 0-2-1
Location: Katy O. Rady Field, Gunnison, Colo.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Thomas collected a long pass from ahead and near the left touchline and avoided one defender who had been chasing from behind before circling back to her left. Thomas stepped a little further left before cranking a left-footed shot from 30 yards out that sailed toward the crossbar, slipping just underneath after Greyhounds goalie Rosie Joyce Willmott got only the fingertips of her right glove on the ball.
- Prior to Thomas' goal, her second of the season, it was Eastern that had been pressuring on the attack. In a span of seven minutes through the middle of the half, the Mountaineers' Aubree Orosco earned four saves off four consecutive shots to keep the game scoreless.
- Western had come out of the halftime break with a renewed attack, reeling off seven shots on frame before the Greyhounds could turn the momentum in the 68th.
TURF NOTES
- Orosco finished the game with six saves in earning the win between the pipes. Willmott Joyce stood tall for Eastern other than the Thomas goal, keeping her team in the game with a total of 11 saves.
- The Mountaineers took 20 shots in the game, 13 in the second half, while limiting Eastern to a total of 11 shots. Western also had the advantage in possession in the attacking end as well as in generating set piece opportunities with a 5-1 edge in corner kick chances.
- Eleven different Mountaineers registered at least one shot in the contest. The Greyhounds received their shots from six players.
THEY SAID IT
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UP NEXT
Western will look to win consecutive games with Sunday morning's visit from St. Edwards (Texas) University.
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