Fort Lewis Advances Past Metro State at NCAA Soccer Tournament

DURANGO, Colo. – No. 3 Fort Lewis advanced to the Central Region final after edging Metro State 4-2 on penalty kicks following a scoreless tie through two overtimes in Durango, Colo. Metro State’s season came to an end with a 12-5-4 record, while FLC advances with a 17-2-2 mark. Both of the Skyhawks’ ties came to the Roadrunners this season.

Metro State goalkeeper Sarah Tanous was phenomenal all day, stopping 10 shots and making another save on a penalty kick in the shootout.

The Roadrunners nearly took a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute, but Michael’ Ann Karas’ goal was called back for offsides. Metro State dominated play in the first half, but gave up a breakaway in the 40th minute. Tanous came up with a spectacular save on Torrey Larson, charging out of the net and sliding in to deflect the shot away.

It was a tale of two halves as Fort Lewis dominated the second half. The Skyhawks outshot the Roadrunners 15-3 in the second half and 4-0 in the two overtime periods after Metro State held a 7-3 edge at half. Tanous made eight saves in the second half.

Both teams converted their first penalty kick chance in the shootout, with Caitlin Oliver scoring for the Roadrunners. After Sara Egbom put FLC up 2-1, the Skyhawks’ goalkeeper made a diving save to rob Ashley Nemmers. However, Tanous answered with a diving stop of her own to keep the Roadrunners even. But Karas’ penalty kick missed off the crossbar, leaving the Skyhawks with the 2-1 edge after three rounds. After Fort Lewis converted by banging a shot in off the top-right corner of the crossbar, Aubrey Fondy kept Metro State alive again with the score, but Megan Striedel clinched the shootout win for Fort Lewis by scoring to open the fifth round.

Fort Lewis will play Winona State (Minn.) on Friday in Michigan for the Central Region championship.