GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – It was the second time in a week that the Colorado Mesa (6-0-1, 5-0-1 RMAC) men's soccer faced the Rangers out of Regis, and yet again the Maverick offense proved to be too much, taking a 3-1 win to advance into Sunday's final.
An own goal by Regis would be the first score, and then
Gabriel Saturno and
Alec Fronapfel propelled CMU to the two-goal advantage and the eventual win.
Regis took all of three shots, two targeted on goal. The Mavericks on the other hand took 16 shots, six coming on goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Regis would hold off Colorado Mesa in the first minute, avoiding a repeat of the previous matchup when Ramses Athualpa scored just 32-seconds into the game. The Mavericks first goal however would come on an unlikely own goal.
Daisuke Takanaka found his way near the goal, and made a last second cross into the lane of a sliding Regis player who sent it into the back of his own net.
The 1-0 advantage would last just four minutes, as a Regis free kick from Danilo Pekovic found the head of Eric Peters who placed into the top-left cornet, catching Maverick players off guard.
Just before the team's broke for the half, the Mavericks would be awarded a throw in, near the corner flag.
Raymond Jackson would wind up and send a high arching pass in front of the goal, finding the head of
Isa Trujillo who knocked it back to
Gabriel Saturno who headed it just past the goal frame.
Both teams were a bit unsure if it passed the goal line, but the officials quickly confirmed that it was a goal and gave the Mavericks the lead going into the break.
The offensive mindset carried into the second half, with CMU taking 10 total shots and having a few good looks on the goal. Following a few close calls,
Joey Joiner took the ball up the middle and passed it off to
Alec Fronapfel who left no doubt scoring his fifth goal of the season to put his team up by two.
With significant minutes left to play, the Mavericks remained on the offensive attack while also keeping their opponent out of their territory.
Brendan Brown had a single save, not facing much action in the goal.
UP NEXT
Colorado School of Mines grabbed a convincing 5-1 win in the first semifinal, securing their spot in final. The Orediggers and Mavericks will meet up for the first time this season, in the championship set to kickoff at 6 p.m. Sunday on Maverick Field.
