Women bounced by Metro

Pueblo -- The Metro State Roadrunners earned their 10th win of the season when they overran the CSU-Pueblo women’s soccer team Friday afternoon.  A shortage of quality chances on goal and a tough opponent doomed the ThunderWolves, who dropped a 4-0 decision, and saw their record sink to 5-5-1.

The ThunderWolves fell behind in the 10th minute when a low ball into the box caused a ruckus in front of the Pack’s goal, and a Metro State player eventually poked the ball home.

The Roadrunner’s early strike seemed to put the ThunderWolves on the back foot for a while, and Metro capitalized by scoring two more goals before the conclusion of the first half.  A glancing header across the face of goal and a long ball from deep put the ThunderWolves down 3-0 at the break.

The women showed more life in the second half.  The team kept the ball with more ease and looked more threatening in possession.  The ThunderWolves still had a lot of trouble getting the ball to their strikers in good positions, though, which tended to nullify a lot of the team’s possession.

Coach Dave Morris said that he saw some good things during the game despite Metro’s goal and statistical advantages.  He said that although he was disappointed that his players weren’t able to create the goal-scoring chances necessary to win the game, he was proud of the way his team came out and played, especially in the second half.

Morris noted that the effort on the pitch never tailed off, and he specifically praised Felicia Gilbreath’s (Jr., Colorado Springs, Colo) tireless defensive efforts.  He also addressed the Roadruners’ 18-5 advantage in shots, saying that the CSU-Pueblo defense goaded Metro into a number of outside potshots.

The ThunderWolves will look for a better result on Sunday, Oct. 12, when they take on UCCS in the second half of the Steel and Silver series.  Kick off is set for noon.