GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa men's soccer team started strong against local rivals Westminster but faded late in a 3-1 loss for the Mavericks. 

Although CMU struck first, the Griffins responded with three second-half goals, including two in the match's final six minutes, to take control of the match in the later stages.  

Daisuke Takanaka scored his fourth goal of the season off a corner kick in the 54th minute when he managed to put in his own rebound after the first attempt was saved by the Westminster defense. Takanaka, the only Mavericks player to start every match so far this season, is now tied with Fernando Morales for the second-most goals on the team. 

Westminster equalized in the 67th minute, however, and appeared to have all the momentum up until a Cole Kartchner cross was headed in by an onrushing Gage Wood to give the Griffins the lead in the 84th minute. Brennan Neeley erased all hope of a CMU comeback by converting a penalty kick in the 89th minute.  

Takanaka and Colton Shafer led the Mavericks offensively, each taking three shots with two shots on target. Mavs goalkeeper Connor Durant and Griffins netminder Roark Looney both had three saves.  

The loss drops the Mavericks to 6-5-1 overall and 1-3-1 in conference play. They will next take the pitch at home at Community Hospital Unity Field on Sunday afternoon against Metro State at 1 p.m.