After the first four games of the season in the women’s W-League soccer conference, the statistics aren’t pretty for the Mile High Mustangs.
The third-year program, owned by the Arvada Soccer Association, has been outscored 23-2 in its first four games. The Mustangs’ latest loss was a 9-0 home defeat to the Seattle Sounders on June 17.
The Denver Lady Cougars handed the Mustangs (0-4 record) a 4-1 loss three days before on June 14 at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch. The lack of scoring has frustrated Mustangs’ coach Brian Barkey.
“The things that we have to resolve are technical issues, like how we pass,” Barkey said. “Our final passes are really lacking.”
On the flip side, Cougars’ forward Carolyn Theurer put on a passing clinic in the first half. Theurer assisted on all three of the Cougars’ first half goals that put the Cougars (2-2) up 3-0 at halftime. Megan Beasley, Jackie Jewel and Rosie Durbin were the goal scorers for the Cougars on the crisp passes from Theurer.
Although she wasn’t given a fourth assist, Theurer set up Denver’s final goal just minutes into the second half. Mustangs’ goalie Katie Hultin took down Theurer hard on a breakaway scoring chance. The referee awarded the Cougars a penalty kick after the foul that Kacy Beitel kicked past Hultin for a 4-0 lead.
Shortly after the fourth goal, Denver Cougars’ coach Theresa Echtermeyer took her playmaker, Theurer, out of the game.
“She (Theurer) did need a rest,” Echtermeyer said. “I was actually worried that she would get hurt.”
The Cougars’ offensive attack kept coming in the second half, but some great saves by Hultin in the final 44 minutes held Denver in check. The Mustangs scored at the 61:35 mark on a great individual move by forward Cameron Walker. She slipped one by Cougars’ goalie Chellie McCourt.
Barkey didn’t start Walker, who has scored both of the goals this season for the Mustangs, because of an injury she is still fighting.
“That was a really good finish she (Walker) had,” Barkey said. “When Cameron is in there, she really makes a difference.”
The Cougar squad also was a little shorthanded because of injuries. Mary Everett, who scored a hat trick against the Mustangs in a 7-1 victory May 24, missed the game with pulled quadriceps. Everett played for the Mustangs the last two seasons before moving over to Echtermeyer’s squad.
Denver broke a two-game losing streak with the victory, but Echtermeyer still has concerns despite the 4-1 victory.
“We could have capitalized on a few more goals,” Echtermeyer said. “That is something that we are struggling with and I’m a little unhappy about.”
The Cougars advanced to the W-League semifinals last year. With two losses already this season, the Cougars have some ground to make up if they are to finish in the top three in the league to qualify for the playoffs.
Barkey said he plans to make some “minor” lineup changes against Vancouver at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at the North Area Athletic Complex at Highway 93 and West 64th Parkway.