Written & Photos By:   Andrew Mosier
​                       Central Region Contributor

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In the span of two WPSL seasons, the rivalry between the Colorado Rush and the Colorado Rapids has gone from intense to volcanic.

In the Rapids Women 2021 Mountain Conference championship season, a hard-fought 2-2 draw to Rush on the Rapids home field was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect record. Last Saturday Rush did one better, beating the Rapids 2-1—again on the Rapids' home turf—behind goals by Sydney Cheesman and Taite De Lange.

 

On Thursday Rush faced the daunting task of facing its biggest rivals for a second match in less than a week. Missing several key players from the weekend victory, Rush was not able to fend off a highly motivated Rapids side, falling 2-0 in its home opener at J.K. Mullen High School – Alyssa Glover scored both goals for the Rapids Women.

 

"Beating the same team twice in a row is incredibly hard," Russell Finch, Rush head coach, said. "They came in saying, 'We're not going to lose two in a row.' Our mentality was a little more relaxed. We were a little bit lackluster in the opening half-hour and they punished us for it."

 

From the opening whistle, the highly motivated Rapids Women stifled Rush with an unrelenting press, forcing numerous turnovers in dangerous areas as Rush tried to play through the swarming Rapids press.

 

"We came in wanting to press them," Sebastian Giraldo , Rapids Women head coach, said. "The difference between the last game and this one was we were able to contain them today. They were never really able to get things going."

 

The Rapids broke things open in the 15’ minute off a turnover caused by its aggressive press. Rapids' Lexi Meyer played the ball in from the right flank as Glover floated into the penalty area from the left flank. Glover, the Rapids' first substitution minutes earlier, calmly set up her right foot and slotted the ball inside the far post.

 

"For a long time, I've been told that subs are game-changers," Glover said. "So, when I do go in, I'm focused on being that person, making an impact on the game."

 

As one of the Rapids’ younger players, Giraldo has become “incredibly proud” of Glover and pinpoints her work ethic coming off the bench by acknowledging “She has really shown she deserves the time she gets."

Glover is signed to play at the University of Wyoming in the fall.

The Rapids had several more chances in the first half but failed to find a way past Rush goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz. After a stern talking to at halftime, Rush looked more like the team that gave the Rapids fits at every turn at Regis University five days earlier, finding success playing through and over the Rapids' press. Twice midfielder Peyton Nourse's surging runs with the ball from the right side created near misses, and her wickedly dipping free-kick was only inches over the crossbar.

 

“She [Nourse] is one of the best players in the conference. She causes a lot of problems for us these last two games," Giraldo said.

 

Nourse's coach echoed his counterpart's praise for the U.S. Women's Youth National Team player. "She's got a bright, bright future. It is easy to forget how young she is. Playing against these older, more experienced players is only going to make her better."
 

With a quarter of an hour to play and a result still within reach, Finch pushed numbers forward in hopes of finding the equalizer.

 

"When you take a risk like we did, pushing everyone forward, you are either rewarded or punished," Finch said. "Today we were punished."

 

With seven minutes to play Glover sneaked in past the Rush's lone defender forcing Mackiewicz to make a brilliant one-on-one save off her line. Without defensive cover Glover was allowed to play her own rebound uncontested, putting it past the diving Mackiewicz for her second on the night and on the season, and the match out of reach for the spent Rush. 
 

The win moves the Rapids Women to 1-1-1 on the season and third in the Rockies Division table with four points. It hosts Colorado Pride (2-0-0) at Regis University on Sunday, June 6. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 P.M.
 

Rush, now 1-1-0, is currently fourth in the Rockies Division. It returns to action Wednesday, June 10 by hosting BC United (2-0-0) at JK Mullen High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 P.M.