Denver, Colo- The Metro State Roadrunner's Women's soccer team fell short in a thriller verse No. 1 Western Washington on Sunday, September 10 with a final score of 1-0.  The Roadrunners fell to 1-2-0 with the Vikings improving to 3-0.
 
The Roadrunners played a phenomenal match and were only a second away from a tying goal at the end of regulation with the team knowing it would take a near perfect match to upset the reigning National Champions, and their performance came just a hair short.
 
MSU Denver came out fired up, prepared to successfully end Western Washington's 27 game win streak. Both teams had their chances in the first half with the Roadrunners best chance coming off a cross from junior forward Bry Sanchez (Tucson, Ariz./Salpointe Catholic H.S.) from the right side to Senior Elise Boisnard (Denver, Colo./Wheat Ridge H.S.).  The ball just skipped off Boisnard's foot to go out of bounds of the other side of the field.
 
The Roadrunners played a near perfect first half, but lost their focus in the final seconds of the first half, allowing a header goal by WWU's freshman forward Sophia Butterfield, assisted by Lindsey Fujiwara with just 20 seconds to go in the half.
 
The strong tempo from both sides carried over into the second half. However, after more time elapsed it began apparent that both teams were feeling fatigued as a result of the blistering Denver heat.
 
MSU Denver's defense continued to put pressure on WWU's offensive attack, stopping many of their attempted shots. The Roadrunner's offense also continued to hold its own, attempting many shots on goal. With only four minutes left in the match, there was a promising when Boisnard played a great ball to Junior Reigna Banks (Bakersfield, Calif./Bakersfield H.S.) who got a great shot off, but the Vikings keeper made a great save to hit it out for a Roadrunners corner kick.  
 
After doubling the number of shots per period in the second half, it became apparent that it would take a brilliant effort to get by WWU's keeper Ashley Homer.
 
During the final minutes of the match, MSU Denver maintained possession in WWU's half pressuring them with numerous shot attempts. Shot after shot, they continued to exhort their best efforts to desperately looking to find the tying goal to force extra-time.
 
With less than ten seconds remaining in the match, Boisnard was able to sneak behind the Viking's defense to get off a final shot attempt, which was deflected by WWU's keeper. Miraculously, Elise took the rebound of the deflection and sunk it into the back of the net. Unfortunately, her efforts were literally seconds late as the final horn sounded before her shot went off.
 
Although MSU Denver lost the match 1-0, Boisnard stated in a after game interview that herself and the team was satisfied with the team's performance against the nation's top team, now knowing they can compete with anyone.
 
MSU Denver will host Colorado School of Mines on Friday, Septermber 15 at 6 pm at the Regency Athletic Complex.