DENVER – When Metropolitan State University of Denver and Regis meet in head-to-head competition – regardless of sport – you can guarantee an all-out battle will take place.

Friday was no exception, as the MSU Denver women's soccer team fought the Rangers to a 1-1 draw at the Regency Athletic Complex.

"(We) certainly always want to get those three points, but it was a hard-fought one point for both teams," MSU Denver coach Tracy Chao said following the match.

The Roadrunners (6-8-3, 5-4-3 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) were in control of the match early on, taking a 1-0 lead on a goal from Gabriella Gamboa in the 33^rd minute. Gamboa received the ball in the 18-yard box and fired a shot at Regis goalkeeper Julia Coombs in a 1-v-1 situation. The ball ricocheted off Coombs back to Gamboa, who corralled it and deposited it in the back of the net for her team-leading fifth goal of the season.

"That's a gritty goal," Chao said.

Gamboa wasn't satisfied with one, though.

"I scored and then really wanted another one," the junior forward said. "I just want more all the time."

Gamboa's relentless spirit was pivotal in Friday's match, as the goal came immediately after she was brought on.

"If I don't start, I come in and bring the energy people need," she said.

That energy was showcased in one exciting moment when Gamboa chased the ball from midfield all the way into the Roadrunners' defensive corner, winning possession back for MSU Denver.

"I got played the ball and I didn't get to it, so I felt it was my obligation to win it back," she said. "I'm not the fastest person, but I chased it down and I got it and it ended up being our throw-in."

That effort was a microcosm of the display put forth by the entire MSU Denver squad on Friday.

"I thought we played really well," Gamboa said. "We brought the energy. We set the tone. We made them play to us. We didn't play to them, which we have been doing a lot this season. I thought that was really good. We just can't let up."

Regis (9-4-3, 7-3-2 RMAC) kept swinging despite its first-half deficit as the crosstown rivals traded chances in the second half. Finally, the Rangers' Natasha Wehner found the back of the net on a set piece in the 86^th minute to force overtime.

The intensity continued to rise in the two overtime periods, but neither team found the back of the net again.

"I'm not satisfied with a tie, but I'm not disappointed in how we played," Gamboa said. "We brought the energy. We didn't let down."

Regis managed 18 shots to MSU Denver's 13 but held just a 7-6 edge in shots on goal. MSU Denver goalkeeper Erica Torres made six saves, while Coombs had five.

Gamboa led the Roadrunners with five shots, all of which were on frame.  

With Regis in the rearview mirror, Chao's squad is ready for Black Hills State (3-11-1, 3-7-1 RMAC) on Sunday for Senior Day at the Regency Athletic Complex.

"These guys are fighters and that's the one thing that we talk about," Chao said. "Keeping the intensity, keeping the energy and fighting. No matter what, this team hasn't given up and I don't expect them to (do differently) on Sunday."

The Roadrunners and Yellow Jackets are set for an 11 a.m. kickoff on Sunday.