GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Looking to build on their trend of strong play against conference competition, the Colorado Mesa University Men's Soccer Team returns home this upcoming weekend as they host a pair of RMAC schools at Community Hospital Unity Field.
Taking on both Regis University and South Dakota Mines, the Mavericks open their weekend stand with a 7 P.M. game Friday night against the Rangers before matching up with the Hardrockers on Sunday at 1 P.M.
Sunday's game will also serve as the team's Senior Day with seven different players being recognized following the conclusion of the game. Those players include Jose Canales, Manuel Ponce Casas, Connor Chilson, Roberto Hernandez, Kensho Negi, Daniel Paulsson and Joao Pedro Moraes.
LAST WEEK'S GAMES
The Mavs claimed their third straight victory in their lone game of the week, beating Colorado School of Mines, 2-1 on the road on Sunday.
Manuel Ponce Casas scored the game's first goal in the 33rd minute before Nathan Hernandez provided the game winner at the 62-minute mark from the penalty spot after Mines had tied the game in the 53rd minute.
The Mavs finished the game with a 16-12 advantage in shots and took 15 corner kicks without conceding a corner kick.
Hernandez's game-winner was his second of the season while he remains perfect in penalty kicks at 2-2.
Goalkeeper Nathan Beck made five saves in the victory.
CMU now sits third in the RMAC standings with 10 points through their first five conference matches and has five such matches left.
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS
Scoring at the second-highest clip in the conference, the Mavs has totaled 33 goals this season while averaging 2.75 per game. They have only conceded 21 goals in return and offensively rank as the No. 5 team in the nation in scoring offense.
In addition to their scoring numbers they also have totaled 71 corner kicks and 166 shots which both rank in the top five of the RMAC.
Leading the offense has been Ponce Casas this season who has totaled 18 points while recording eight goals and two assists. Over the last five games he has recorded five goals.
Hernandez has been another top performer for the team with six goals and four assists as he sits at 16 points.
Matteo Bonelli adds four goals and four assists with Kamden Kooiman owning four goals as well to round out the team's top scoring threats.
24 assists have been recorded to aid the goals with Riccardo Legnante, Hernandez and Bonelli all tying for the team lead.
In the net, Nathan Beck has recorded 37 saves this season while facing 153 shots. He owns three shutouts to this point while only giving up two goals in the last three games.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
The Rangers own a 4-5-3 record this season while playing to 2-2-1 in the RMAC. In this past week of action, they went 1-1 in their games with a 1-0 win over CCU before falling 2-1 to MSU Denver.
In the series history with Colorado Mesa they own a 15-12-4 advantage while winning last year's matchup in a 4-2 decision.
This year they have scored 17 goals while giving up 18 in return, ranking them as the ninth best offense in the conference.
They have been led by the duo of Rayhan Carlson-Du Toit and Elias Taubo with each of them scoring three goals apiece. Three others players have added two goals each as well while their assist leader is Jacob Betancourt-Tovar with two.
Zach Jennings is the team's goalkeeper notching 34 saves to this point while facing 116 shots. He owns a 1.50 goals allowed average with a .654 save percentage.
Following Friday's game the Rangers will head to Salt Lake City to take on Westminster University on Sunday.
Finishing the weekend against South Dakota Mines, the Hardrockers are 6-4-3 this season while struggling since starting conference play with a 1-4-1 record.
In their most recent games they went 0-1-1 with a 2-1 loss to MSU Denver and a 3-3 tie with CCU.
This will be the second time the Mavs and Hardrockers face off this season after the two played a nonconference game on Sept. 28 with South Dakota Mines taking the 4-0 win.
Offensively, they rank first in the conference and third in the nation with their scoring offense averaging 2.85 goals per game. They have given up 20 goals in return.
Leading their team is Nickolas North with a staggering 10 goals this year as he sits in first of the conference. Parker Yocom and Alvin Udoto each rank second on the team with four goals apiece.
Four goalkeepers have split time in the net, but in large part have been led by Abdo Salem Abdullah who has started eight games with 24 saves and a 1.75 goals-against average.
Prior to Sunday's game the Hardrockers play in Utah on Friday against Westminster University as well.
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN
Streaming will occur via the RMAC Network through their pay per view plan with live stats available online to follow along with. Tickets for the event can be purchased online at cmumavericks.com/tickets or in person at the gate.
COLORADO MESA TURNS 100
The CMU Century Celebration stands as the cornerstone of Colorado Mesa University's year-long centennial celebration. This ambitious initiative unites our community in honoring a rich heritage while boldly envisioning the next hundred years of academic excellence.
Led by the Steering Committee and six specialized sub-committees, we're orchestrating a transformative experience that will resonate through generations. Each committee brings unique expertise to create an unforgettable commemoration of our past, present and future.
To learn more about Colorado Mesa's 100-year celebration, visit cmucentury.com
