After having the initial game time delayed due to inclement weather on Thursday, the Colorado College women’s soccer team opened up the 2024 season on Friday against the University of Montana in Missoula. The Tigers battled to an even 0-0 score at the half, but an early second-half goal lifted the Grizzlies over CC with a 1-0 final score.
The Tigers took the defending Big Sky Conference champions to the wire but were unable to find the back of the net despite some decent looks down the stretch.
“In the first half, we did well to adjust defensively and showed good grittiness with 1v1 defending, covering and clearing,” head coach Keri Sanchez said.
Both teams tried to find their barring in the first 45 minutes of action. The Grizzlies controlled the pace for most of the first half, putting up seven shots to the Tigers’ two. The first shot for CC came in the sixth minute when freshman Finley Schoenbeck lined a ball at the bottom half of the net. The Spicewood, Texas native also made her first collegiate start today and ended the game with the one shot and 69 minutes on the pitch.
CC wouldn’t get another shot off until 14 minutes later when Kaelin Woodruff logged her first of the year, but Grizz goalkeeper Ashlyn Dvorak was able to make the save.
Senior captain Brett Tsamasfyros racked up the final shot of the half for the Tigers. This was a bullet toward the crossbar that just went over. Tsmasfyros led the team with three shots, two shots on goal and played for 62 minutes.
After the break, the Grizzlies came out and took the lead when Kayla Rendon lobbed a ball over Regan Wallace’s head that was barely out of the reach of the sophomore goalkeeper. Less than a minute later, Tsamasfyros lined a beautiful shot at the Montana net that almost knotted up the game again, but Dvorak saved the shot.
After Tsamasfyros’s shot, the Tigers were limited in their shots. They finished the second half with two shots taken, both of which were on target. The Grizzlies were limited to five shots in the second half.
Tsamasfyros fired off one more shot in the 78th minute that was also on net.
The Tigers had three first-year players see the field on Thursday. Scheonbeck was the lone freshman starter, while Meli Coats played the second-most minutes with 18. Charlotte Strabel also checked in for her first collegiate appearance and finished with 17 minutes played.
Goalkeeper Regan Wallace finished with five saves, one goal allowed and six shots faced.
CC finished the day with four shots on goal and 15 fouls, compared to the Grizzlies’ six shots on goal and 17 fouls.
“In the second half, we started strong with possession but had trouble creating chances with the possession. The goal was our one moment of not being aggressive in the box defensively. We are disappointed with the result and excited to play Iowa on Sunday.” Sanchez said.
The Tigers will take on No. 25 University of Iowa on Sunday at 11 a.m. MT. The Hawkeyes played the first half against Oregon State on Thursday evening, but the contest was eventually postponed due to the inclement weather.
It will be the first showdown between the two teams since 2005. The game can be watched on ESPN+.
