By Peyton Wright
The Colorado College women’s soccer team showed dominance right from the start as they struck for a pair of goals during the first 11 minutes of its home game against Saint Francis University at Washburn Field on Sept. 1. The Tigers persevered and continued to stay on top throughout the rest of the game, going on to win 4–0.
Starting for the Tigers were goalkeeper Abby Opperman ’23, defender Kayla Montoya ’22, Camille Weaver ’21, Toni Tsamasfyros ’22, Tayla Wheeler ’21, Hailee Rasmussen ’23, midfielder Johanna Hamblett ’20, midfielder Jenna Wilt ’21, forward Jacquie Hand ’22, Kiley Suter ’22, and midfielder Lucia Costanza ’20.
Just 10 seconds into the game, Hand scored the first goal of the game. She smoked the upper left corner of the net after collecting the ball from a Saint Francis defender.
Colorado College’s domination did not stop there. Just over 10 minutes later, Hand found the net once again, this time off of a crossing assist from Montoya. Her goal was a one touch from the six-yard box, beating SFU’s goalkeeper to inside the left post. The game was Hand’s second two-goal game of the season.
The Tigers gave SFU no opportunity to come back, and CC’s defensive skills helped the Tigers maintain their 2–0 lead at halftime.
Three minutes into the second half, the Tigers struck again, increasing their lead to 3–0. This time, forward Suter scored her first goal of the season, assisted by Wilt.
In the 56th minute, Wilt assisted yet again on a short corner shot that Tsamasfyros expertly headed in, for the fourth and final goal of the game.
The Tiger defense team, led by Opperman, only allowed five shots in the entire game, and only two hit the frame.
Opperman expertly made those two saves, and successively shut out the Tigers’ opposition, for the first time in her CC career. “Our team made a great effort,” Opperman said. “I’m really proud of how we all came together and succeeded. Getting that shut out was just icing on the cake.”
The Tigers finished with a 26–5 advantage in shots, and an 11–2 edge in shots on goal, which challenged SFU’s defense and the team’s goalie. The Tigers also won eight corner shots, more than double SFU’s.
Sunday’s win moved the Tiger’s record up to 3–0–0, and the SFU Red Flash went to 1–1–1.
Sunday’s 4–0 win was the team’s highest scoring game since their Air Force Academy 4–3 battle in October of 2017. Additionally, the win gave the Tigers a 11–1–1 record at home for the last 13 games.
Hand and Tsamasfyros were named the Mountain West women’s soccer players of the week for their performances during Sunday’s victory.
Hand brought home the offensive honor for the first time after striking for a pair of goals and adding an assist to complete the match with a career-high five points. Tsamasfyros, who earned the defensive award for the first time, was a factor at both ends of the field from her center back position.
The Tigers host Western Michigan University on Friday, Sept. 6 and play at home again on Sunday, Sept. 8 against Army West Point. Both games will be played on Washburn Field.
