In any facet of sport, it's commonplace to experience both exciting moments as well as some tough breaks that test everyone on the playing field. TMCC's women certainly encountered some rough patches this past season; but, they also had some bright moments worthy of recognition. With the (first) 2021 season behind us, let's take a look at the highs and lows for TMCC Women's Soccer.

The Highs 

Bera's spectacular shot headlines Lizards first victory on April 17: TMCC's Women secured their first victory on April 17, posting nine scores on 35 shots against Colorado Northwestern Community College. Of the Lizards many offensive highlights from the match, none were more spectacular than freshman Colby Bera's eighth minute score, a strong strike that found the net from 35 yards out as the defender came up from the back. Bera's impressive score would set the tone for the rest of the day, which would see second year back Piper Wiecking post two goals and midfielder Yalison Espinosa put five of eight shots on goal.

Short-handed Lizards take Southern Nevada to extra time on May 1: Despite playing the entire match with ten women on the field and their emergency goalkeeper on duty, TMCC put together easily their best showing of the season in a May 1 matchup with their in-state rivals. With the exception of a wind-aided score from CSN in the 71st minute, the Lizards dominated possession and out-played their Southern Nevada foes for most of the day. While TMCC would eventually fall in extra time, their performance was a welcome display of the true capability of a team that had to overcome constant adversity all season.

TMCC posts otherworldly 59 shots in Colorado on May 7: Coming off their best performance of the season, the Lizards would keep the ball rolling in a rematch with Colorado Northwestern on May 7. For the match, TMCC posted an almost unbelievable 59 shots (35 on goal) to go with their nine scores, which came off the feet of five different attackers. Sophomores Yalison Espinosa, Isabel Gonzalez, and Yanitzia Perez-Galvan each led the way with double digit scoring chances.

The Lows

Injuries take center stage in SLC on April 24: Player health quickly became a significant focus for the Lizards after a tough result against Salt Lake CC on April 24. The already shorthanded squad finished the 0-4 loss with just ten women on the field, and played a portion of the match with 9 players. Freshman Tara Dragoo would go down with a season ending knee injury mid-way through the first half, leaving TMCC with just 11 healthy players on the roster after having lost sophomore Maria Villa-Cabrera to injury the previous week.

Hard luck keeps coming in rematch with Snow College on April 29: For most of the afternoon, TMCC's women played well. In their second straight match with no substitutes, they battled and went into the break trailing by just one after playing good defense in the opening period. The second half wasn't as clean, however, as the Badgers would find the net four times. The Lizards would also lose goalkeeper Kaitlyn Mendoza to injury, leaving the team shorthanded for their second straight match. 

The Lizards continue to struggle in Utah on May 8: Looking to upset a squad they felt like they could have defeated earlier in the season, TMCC was shut down by USUE in Price, UT on May 8. While the Lizards did an excellent job generating scoring chances and possessed well, stout defense from the Eagles kept their chances at an arm's length.