DURANGO, Colorado (September 2, 2021) – On the road to start the 2021 season, Lubbock Christian allowed three first-half goals and was unable to come back, falling 3-1 to Fort Lewis at Dirks Field.
It is the first loss in a season-opener for the Chaparrals since 2018, when they were also in Colorado and fell 2-1 to UC-Colorado Springs. LCU did bounce back from that 2018 loss, beating Colorado Christian 5-0 two days later, which is what the 2021 team will look to do when they take on Adams State on Saturday.
The scoring started early in a game that was also the Skyhawks' first game of the season, as they found the back of the net just 2:32 after kickoff. Georgi Stoyanov netted the goal.
LCU responded just over 10 minutes later, with
Fernando Flores finding the back of the net. The goal was the 17 of Flores' career in 47 games. He now has 44 career points, which moves him into sole possession of second place in the LCU record books, ahead of Nick Gorrie (2011-13). Flores has led LCU in goals each of the last two seasons.
Fort Lewis jumped back in front in the 27
th minute and doubled their lead in the 42
nd minute while LCU struggled to create more offensive chances. They did earn one corner kick in the 33
rd minute, but did not score off it.
Jacopo Ghezzi took a shot 10 minutes into the second half and
Luciano Rodriguez put one on goal in the 61
st minute, but neither found the back of the net. The Chaps ended the game with five total shots, three of which were on goal.
LCU's defense improved in the second half, allowing just two shots, neither of which were on goal during the final 45 minutes of play. The Skyhawks did draw six corner kicks in the second half, giving them seven total to six for LCU, who had three in each half.
All three of the Chaps' second half corner kicks came in the final 10 minutes of play, as they pressed hard for a goal, but they were unable to break through.
Lubbock Christian will now look toward the Grizzlies, who they will kick off against at 1 p.m. central time at the ASU Soccer Field on Saturday.