GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Facing a Colorado Christian defense that had allowed only two goals in six matches all season, Colorado Mesa men's soccer scored twice in the second half to grab a 2-0 win over the Cougars.

The win moves CMU's record to 5-2-1 at the conclusion of nonconference play. From here on out, all remaining regular season games will count in the RMAC standings, starting with next Thursday's home game against Regis.

Manuel Ponce Casas scored on a diving header to reach 10 points in 2023 and Fernando Morales buried a penalty kick to give the Mavs an insurance goal. Diego Chavez was only called upon to make two saves, but both were far from routine and Chavez got a well-earned second clean sheet of the season.

The Mavericks outshot CCU 15-5 overall and 4-2 in attempts on target. Ponce Casas (three), Morales (two) and Diogo Silva (two) had multiple shots for the Mavericks while Alec Fronapfel and Leo Mireles each had a shot on goal to force a save from CCU goalie Michel Pinoncely.

In this matchup of two of the top three defenses in the RMAC in terms of goals allowed entering the match, the first half was a tightly contested stalemate that featured only one shot on goal for each team. While the Mavericks had most of the chances (leading 6-2 in first-half shots), the best opportunity belonged to CCU when Zane Jacobson's 35^th-minute strike sending Chavez diving to his right and snagging the ball at full extension in mid-air.

The Colorado Mesa breakthrough came in the 61^st minute when Moises Martinez beat a defender with an excellent first touch to create some space for himself streaking down the left wing. Martinez lifted a cross into the box where Ponce Casas was waiting.

While CMU's 6-foot-2 striker frequently uses his height to score aerial goals and assists, Ponce Casas had to get low for this particular goal, squatting until his head was at his normal waist level and leaving his feet as he contacted the cross to power the header towards the net. Pinoncely initially looked to have made the save, but the ball squirted out of his hands and agonizingly rolled over the line despite the keeper's diving attempt to bat it away.

Colorado Christian moved for an equalizer right away and had a great chance four minutes later. Forward Gabe Roloff headed a cross from the right wing towards the far post which sent Chavez scrambling. The looping header got over Chavez and bounced, but the reigning RMAC Goalkeeper of the Week dove back to tip the ball wide and keep the lead intact.

In the 70^th minute, Silva was clattered into from behind in the box, granting CMU a penalty. Morales stepped to the spot and, for the fourth time in as many attempts in his college career, buried it for a goal to give the Mavericks a 2-0 lead and the ability to dribble and pass out the clock after that.

Since a home loss to Northwest Nazarene dropped CMU to 1-2, the Mavericks are on a five-match unbeaten run heading into conference play. The Mavs have a pair of home games this week, facing Regis on Thursday at 7 p.m. and South Dakota Mines on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.