DENVER – After 10 days between games that included a seven-day pause, the MSU Denver women's soccer team is back in action Saturday with a 7:30 p.m. game against Westminster.
 
"The fitness aspect might be the biggest thing we're missing," MSU Denver interim coach Bonnie Young said. "That fell off a bit, though I'm sure they were trying to do as much as they could on their own. Our execution has been OK in training. I think maybe the break can get everybody rejuvenated and excited to play again."
 
MSU Denver is 1-2 for the season after losing 2-1 at CSU-Pueblo on March 17. Westminster is 2-0-2.
 
Against CSU-Pueblo, MSU Denver fell behind after giving up an early goal but controlled play for much of the first half despite going into a strong wind. The Roadrunners also had plenty of possession in the second half, but fell behind 2-0 before a late goal by defender Elli Zimmer.
 
Attackers such as Annie Rolf, Katy Coats and Paloma Teran made quality, threatening runs for much of the match.
 
"Annie started to find some of the attacking runs we've been looking for, and Katy Coats has been really, really coming on strong and was outstanding at practice (Thursday)," Young said. "Paloma just needs some consistency, because she had a tremendous second half. We have a few players who are extremely talented who we are looking for to be more consistent. A seven-day layoff doesn't help in that, but we'll get there."
 
The Roadrunners made a surprise addition to the roster against CSU-Pueblo as basketball player Maggie Justinak was pressed into service at goalkeeper and made an impressive debut.
 
"I was exceptionally pleased with her," Young said. "She had to go up for a shot and made a save that would be tough for anybody to make. And their second goal was arguably unsavable. I was really pleased with what she did."
 
The game at CSU-Pueblo had to be moved to Pueblo due to a snowstorm the previous weekend in Denver so now, finally, the Roadrunners will be playing their first home game.
 
"We're excited to be playing at home," Young said. "We'll have a few fans in the stands (players' family and friends on a tight pass list) and it's always exciting to play under the lights. Hopefully all of that will give us a bit of a buzz and little bit of a boost."