LAKEWOOD, Colo. - Facing a third consecutive halftime deficit, the Black Hills State University women's soccer team once again battled back and rallied for a come from behind 2-1 victory at Colorado Christian on Friday afternoon. Despite a goal in the opening minutes from the Cougars, the Yellow Jackets managed to swing the momentum in a matter less than a minute midway through the second half at Trailblazer Stadium, as Ally Boysen scored the equalizer and game-winner just 25 seconds apart to give the Green & Gold a win in their first game of a 4-game road swing.
QUICK DETAILS
Score: Black Hills State 2, Colorado Christian 1
Team Records: Black Hills State 8-1-3 (5-1-1 RMAC), Colorado Christian 2-7-4 (1-5-1 RMAC)
Attendance: 67
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first shot attempt of the match in the 9th minute put Colorado Christian in front, marking the third consecutive outing that an opponent has gone ahead in the first ten minutes of play, as off the throw in Kira Merrell was able to head the ball over to Faith Gaudy who then proceeded to place the ball into the left side of the net for the 1-0 advantage.
- Black Hills State looked to respond, however, the lone two shots on target of the opening half were both saved by Kenzie Kunitz. First, it was Ivy Agee who worked her way towards the middle of the field and top of the box before firing a shot towards the left post, forcing Kunitz to make a diving save that led to a BHSU corner kick in the 14th minute. Then in the 15th minute Ally Boysen sent a low, line drive shot towards the center of the net that was picked up by Kunitz for the save.
- The final 30 minutes of the first half saw Rian Barthel make four of her five first half saves, keeping the game within reach for the Green & Gold at the half. She stopped shots from Merrell in the 17th minute, Olivia Maxfield in the 26th minute, Lexi Taitague in the 38th minute, and Claire Leight in the 40th minute.
- Momentum began to build for the Yellow Jackets early in the second half with a pair of shot attempts by Agee in the 53rd and 56th minutes, and then they broke through to flip the script just a minute later. Off their second corner kick play of the contest, Sydney Stephan was able to find Boysen during the set piece, and Boysen headed the ball into the back of the net to even the score at one apiece. Then the Green & Gold continued the pressure, taking the ball away seconds after the ensuing kick, and Agee sent a pass forward to Boysen who was challenged by Kunitz and another defender at the top of the box, however, she was able to maintain control and place the ball into the empty net for her second goal of the game, less than 30 seconds after her equalizer.
- The Black Hills State defense held the Cougars without a shot on frame the entirety of the second half, while BHSU held a 6-4 advantage in shot attempts and a 3-0 advantage in shots on the frame the final 45 minutes as Agee added a final shot on target in the 86th minute as she raced down the field and fired the ball towards the left side of the net where it was scooped up by Kunitz.
- In the match Colorado Christian held the advantage in shots (13-12), shots on goal (6-4), and corner kicks (7-2), while Black Hills State held the edge in saves (5-3).
FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS
BLACK HILLS STATE STATISTICAL LEADERS
Ally Boysen: 6 shots, 3 shots on goal, 2 goals
Ivy Agee: 5 shots, 2 shots on goal, 1 assist
Sydney Stephan: 1 assist
Rian Barthel: 5 saves
UP NEXT
Black Hills State is set to play their second game of a 4-game road swing on Sunday, October 11, as they remain in Denver to face MSU Denver at 11 a.m. at the Assembly Athletic Complex-Soccer.
