Firestorm Fall to Battlin’ Bears In Close Match

Billings, Mont. – Arizona Christian erased an early deficit in the second half, but Rocky Mountain answered with the eventual game-winner as the Firestorm dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision Monday morning in Montana. 

MATCH INFO
Score: Rocky Mountain – 2 , Arizona Christian – 1
Records:  Rocky Mountain – 2-0-2 | Arizona Christian – 1-1-0
Location: Wendy’s Stadium, Billings, MT

STAT TRACKER
Rian Gaeta – 1 goal, 3 shots, 1 shot on goal
Peyton Baca – 2 shots, 1 shot on goal
Krista Hardesty – 1 shot, 1 shot on goal
Tayler Wonderly – 10 saves, 2 goals allowed

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Rocky Mountain broke through in the 33rd minute when Ari Mercado finished a chance off an assist from Molly Loughton, sending the Battlin’ Bears into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
• The Firestorm responded with energy after the break. 
• Just over seven minutes into the second half, Rian Gaeta found the back of the net in the 53rd minute to level the match at 1-1, giving ACU new life and swinging momentum in its favor.
• The deadlock lasted until the 68th minute when Charlize Davis converted Rocky Mountain’s second goal of the afternoon, restoring the home side’s lead at 2-1. 
• Despite battling until the final whistle, ACU was unable to find a late equalizer.
• Gaeta led the Firestorm attack with three shots, including the team’s lone goal, while Peyton Baca and Krista Hardesty each placed a shot on target. 
• Goalkeeper Tayler Wonderly turned in an outstanding performance between the posts, recording 10 saves while facing constant pressure from a Rocky Mountain offense that produced 29 shots.
• ACU lost to Rocky Mountain, 2-1. 

NEXT UP
On Thursday, the Firestorm will host Park-Gilbert to open up conference play in their first home game of the season on the ACU Soccer Field at 5:30pm.

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