Denver- The Metropolitan State University of Denver women's soccer team suffered a tough loss to New Mexico Highlands University on Friday October 6. The Roadrunners fall to a 5-6 record overall with a 4-2 record in the RMAC. The Cowgirls improve to 3-5-2 on the season with a 3-2-1 record in the RMAC.
 
The Roadrunners got off to a quick start and quickly captured the momentum of the game. Junior forward Reigna Banks (Bakersfield, Calif./Bakersfield H.S.) gave MSU Denver an early 1-0 advantage when the forward sped past a defender at the top of the box and ripped a shot to the top right corner of the goal at 6:50, for her third goal of the season. Senior Elise Boisnard (Denver, Colo./Wheat Ridge H.S.) recorded an assist on the play.
 
Shortly after, though, the Cowgirls started to gain some momentum of their own. They tied the game at 17:42 on a 30-yard rocket by Alondra Gildo-Ceballos that found the top of the net.
 
MSU Denver was undeterred and continued to play aggressively on the offensive end. A through ball from freshman Jordan Lewis (Bakersfield, California/Frontier High School) squeaked past the Cowgirl's defense and Reigna Banks (Bakersfield, Calif./Bakersfield H.S.) made the pay with a breakaway goal at 30:51 to add another goal on the day.
 
However, New Mexico Highlands had a prompt response for the Roadrunners. They tied the score again with a goal just two minutes later when a misplayed ball forced the MSU Denver goalie out of position; Tani Salcedo took care of the rest and poked the ball in for an easy goal.
 
The first half finished tied 2-2. MSU Denver recorded six shots on goal off a total of 10 shots. The Cowgirls countered the Roadrunners with three shots on goal out of a total of five shots. Banks led the way in shots for the Roadrunners with six shots, five of them on goal.
 
The Cowgirls carried a little momentum with them into the second half and took a 3-2 lead, their first lead of the game, at 57:39. The goal was scored on a deflection off the shins of a Cowgirl at the top of the box where her teammate was able to take a shot that just snuck over the outstretched hands of the Roadrunner goal keeper.
 
The Roadrunners continued to battle, but could not push across a game tying goal and eventually fell 3-2. MSU Denver recorded one shot on goal on seven shots in the second half. New Mexico Highlands University posted four shots on goal on five shots in the period.
 
MSU Denver returns to the Regency Athletic Complex Sunday, October 8 for a match against Colorado State University-Pueblo at 12 noon.