ThunderWolves corral Cowgirls

LAS VEGAS, N.M. -- Two first half penalty kicks gave the CSU-Pueblo women’s soccer team an early lead on Sunday, and two more goals in the second half highlighted a redemptive performance for the ThunderWolves.  The team bounced back from a heavy loss against Metro State earlier in the weekend to punish New Mexico Highlands by a score of 4-1.

Sarah Deziel (So., Eau Claire, Wisc.) converted two penalty kicks in the first 45 minutes to give the ThunderWolves a convenient but not undeserved lead.  Things were made more difficult for the Cowgirls when the match official sent a Highlands player to the bench for the duration of the game with a straight red card halfway.

The ThunderWolves played up that numerical advantage in the second half, and put the game out of reach when Candice Duffy (Jr., Idaho Falls, Idaho) scored off a Marli Martin (Sr., West Jordan, Utah) cross in the 50th minute.

Highlands got a goal back from a corner kick later in the half, but Sarah Deffit (So., Bremerton, Wash.) gave the game its final margin when she took on three defenders before nudging the ball home about ten minutes from time.

Coach Dave Morris said that he was “really pleased” with the outcome of the game.  “It was good to come back and really play hard and put them away early,” he said.  The coach also mentioned that he was was proud of the way his players kept their heads about them after the sending off.

The theme of the afternoon still centered around both the team’s improved performance and the ever so near post-season.  “We clinched a playoff spot today,” said Morris.  “We’re going into the tournament with a puncher’s chance,” he added.

The women return home to Pueblo for a game against the Colorado School of Mines on Friday, Oct. 31 at 3:30 p.m., a matchup that Morris said will be a “tough game against a good team.”  That game, along with the Pack’s regular season finale (away to Adams State), will determine the women’s playoff seeding.