Pack's two goals in four minutes help tie game

PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Sept. 30, 2011) - The CSU-Pueblo women's soccer team provided enough late game dramatics to last the entire season. Down 2-0 with four minutes remaining in the game the team rallied to score two goals to finish with a 2-2 tie against Colorado Mesa.

The first half saw the Pack control possession taking advantage of good looks on the net when possible. They outshot the Mavericks 14-11 forcing Arielle Harris to make six saves. 

The ThunderWolves looked to be in control of the game in the second half as well until a 50-50 ball in the box led to a huge collision between goalkeeper Savannah Thompson (So., Upland, Calif.) and a Maverick player. Thompson appeared to have the ball but on the hit lost it. Kaselynn Butters gathered the loose ball and finished to an open net much to the dismay of the Pack. 

Thompson was removed from the game and was replaced by Erin Stephens (Fr., Aurora, Colo.).

The Pack continued to fight but in a very similar situation to the first goal when a 50-50 ball was loose in the box with a charging keeper. A collision was avoided this time but Sara Islas was able to maneuver around the keeper for the goal to go up 2-0.

There was never an ounce of quit in the Pack as they continued to test the Mavericks keeper. The attack continued and with four minutes remaining they finally struck. 

 Abigail Chris (So., Anchorage, Alaska) fired a deep shot that looked to be saved by Arielle Harris but the shot had enough power to trickle through the hands of the keeper for a goal. 

Looking for one last glimmer of hope the Pack continued their attack before being fouled with 47 seconds remaining in the game. The ThunderWolves elected to have Esther Villa (Jr., El Paso, Tex.) take the kick which was positioned to the right side of the goal just outside the box. The move couldn't have been better as Villa took full advantage of her opportunity beating the keeper to the near side of the post to capture a 2-2 tie.

The goal officially ended the night for Harris in lieu of Sarah Schnetzler who finished in net for the final two overtimes. 

Both teams tried furiously to score the game-winner but solid goalkeeping and defense officially ended the game in a draw.

The tie puts CSU-Pueblo to 3-5-1 overall on the year and 1-3-1 in RMAC play. 

The team travels to New Mexico Highlands Sunday with a game scheduled for 1 p.m.