Grand Junction, Colo. - The Colorado Mesa University Men's Soccer Team would take an early 1-0 lead in today's match against #25 Colorado State University Pueblo, but ultimately could not come up with a response to the Thunderwolves two goal first half as the Mavs would end up falling in a 2-1 decision on Senior Day at Community Hospital Unity Field.
The Mavs' lone goal would come courtesy of Manuel Ponce Casas.
Today's loss would be the Mavs' second straight game playing against a top-25 ranked opponent as their last match against UCCS had the Mountain Lions ranked #5 nationally. CMU now holds an overall record of 4-8-2 while being 1-5-1 in conference to sit in ninth place. CSU Pueblo improves to 11-3-1 and 6-1 in conference to rise to second place.
All three scores of today's match would happen in the first half.
CMU would take the early 1-0 lead in the 20th minute when the Mavs' only shot of the first half found the back of the net. Ponce Casas would score his second goal of the season when Marc Bonafe would feed him a high cross to the other side of the penalty area to which he used a strong header to put past the Thunderwolf goalkeeper. Bonafe earning the assist on that score now gives him six on the year.
The Mavs' lead wouldn't last long though, as less than five minutes later the Thunderwolves would answer back with a goal of their own. Jose Bustamante would score this goal with Alon Firdman earning the assist.
CSUP would break the tie and take the lead then in the 34th minute on a goal by Tobi Osifodunrin. After being granted a corner kick, the Pack's Caio Oliveira would launch the ball into the penalty area to Ignatius Demark before he would tap it over to Osifodunrin to score from close range and past Diego Chavez's extending legs.
The match would be 2-1 after 45 minutes with CSUP outshooting CMU 10-1.
Both teams would challenge in the second half to break the score out even more, but ultimately it was CSUP's strong defensive game that would hold the Mavs at bay.
The Thunderwolves in the match would take nine corner kicks and shot 15 times with six of them goal. CMU would only fare three corner kicks and five shots in total with three of them on goal.
Diego Chavez would record four saves in the match to bring his season total up to 74. He is currently the leader in saves in the RMAC.
The Mavs will now return to the road this next week as they head South to face off with opponents Adams State University and Fort Lewis College. They will take on Adams State on Friday at 7 p.m. before concluding the weekend on Sunday at 1 p.m. against Fort Lewis. Both matches will be streamed live through the RMAC Network.
