DENVER – A short-handed MSU Denver women's soccer team went toe-to-toe with nationally-ranked RMAC powerhouse UCCS on Sunday, leading for nearly 50 minutes.
 
But ultimately the fatigued Roadrunners fell 2-1 to No. 7 UCCS on Senior Day for the Roadrunners' Mariah Rex.

"Today was a pretty complete performance from every single player," MSU Denver interim coach Bonnie Young said. "The players executed the plan, and both defensively and offensively I think it really was an excellent performance.
 
"Ultimately, defending set pieces and not finishing chances were the reason for the loss, but the team came together today for a great performance."
 
On one of several dangerous runs made by MSU Denver attackers, Annie Rolf slipped behind the Mountain Lions' defenders and ran onto a beautiful long pass by Riley Ostler. With only the goalkeeper in front of her, Rolf knew what to do, scoring from close range to give MSU Denver a 1-0 lead at 19:32. It snapped UCCS' streak of five straight games without allowing a goal.
 
But Rolf was unable to return after scoring her fifth goal of the season, making her one of seven players on the roster unable to play.
 
UCCS (7-0 overall, 5-0 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) finally tied the game at 69:56, but only after MSU Denver was called for a foul right at the edge of the 18. Tarah Patterson scored on the penalty kick.
 
The Mountain Lions got the game-winner at 86:43 as Liza Louthan deposited a shot from the right side of the goal into the left corner, on a play set up on a corner kick with assists from Kelsey Takahashi and Amelia Junge.
 
MSU Denver (2-5, 1-3) wraps up the regular season Thursday at Regis in a 4 p.m. game.