Colville knocks in go ahead goal to defeat Moose in final minute

Alamosa’s Devyn Mitchell (1) moves up to challenge Sophia McConnell (2) of Del Norte during Tuesday’s game in Alamosa. (VC/ Jiron)

ALAMOSA — In a rare road game on their home field Alamosa was outlasted by Del Norte (7-2-2) in a 1-0 game on Tuesday afternoon.

With the construction of the new school going up right where Speiser Field used to be Del Norte has been looking for favors from their neighbors to the east. Adams State University loaned Del Norte Rex Stadium for the football season and the Mean Moose (1-7-0) have pitched in, sharing Alamosa High School field during the girl’s soccer season.

Del Norte took control early. Both sides of the field had Tigers with quality performances. On defense Grace Whitehorn was dominant chasing down rushes and curtailing them. Thanks to Whitehorn combined with the rest of the defense, more than a few Alamosa intrusions were turned back. Whitehorn’s big leg was also helpful to Del Norte in transitions with clears quickly turning into offensive chances.

Del Norte outshot Alamosa in the first half 6-4 with Sophia McConnell and Kendra Parra forcing saves. On the other end Larissa Medina would loose two similar looking shots from the right side to lead Alamosa in shots in the first half.

Neither team would score before the half time buzzer.

In the second half Del Norte would continue to amp up the pressure. Quality opportunities were not in short supply two of which were nice centering passes from Syana Colville to Brianna Gallegos. Stellar play in net from Alamosa’s Kelly Castillo kept the game scoreless however. Preliminary stats from Tuesday showed Castillo with 6 saves in the loss.

Offensively for the Moose it was Devyn Mitchell registering two shots on goal. But neither team would find the net and with time fading, an overtime period or two seemed likely. With under a minute to go Del Norte’s Parra got away on a rush. Castillo came out to challenge the play and was driven by an Alamosa defender and Parra. Following the collision the ball squirted out to the near side leaving Colville all alone with a wide-open look. Colville gathered the ball and herself and popped in the eventual game winner with 36.1 seconds showing on the clock.

The win marks the third victory the Tigers have earned against 3A opponents. Del Norte will go for No. 4 when they take on Pagosa Springs (3-2-2) at 5 p.m. on Friday. Alamosa will look to even the season series with league rival Bayfield (3-4-0) at 11 a.m. on Saturday.