GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – A final minute penalty kick goal by Manuel Ponce Casas helped the Mavericks work their way to a tie and escape a loss this evening as the Colorado Mesa University Men's Soccer Team played to a 2-2 draw with the Regis Rangers at Community Hospital Unity Field.
Coming from behind after trailing for roughly the final 55 minutes, the Mavs were able to earn themselves a trip the penalty stripe in the last 11 seconds of the game after some last chance desperations led to them being fouled in the penalty area.
Ponce Casas delivered the game-tying goal to follow with him now sitting at nine goals on the season.
In addition to Ponce Casas, Cain Castellon also scored in the contest with his goal coming in the three-goal first half.
Colorado Mesa improved their record to 6-4-3 (3-1-2 RMAC) with the tie as they maintain being in third place of the conference standings while being tied with Westminster.
Following a scoreless first 30 minutes of game, the Rangers struck first this evening as they scored in the 31st minute after a chip shot was made just barely over a diving goalkeeper to give them the early lead.
Castellon came around shortly after in the 34th minute to make it all-square again with his goal happening after he danced past three Ranger defenders and hammered a shot into the top left corner of the net.
Despite the game being tied for the second time, Regis responded quickly as well with their next goal coming in the 36th minute.
Earning a penalty kick opportunity following a foul on the CMU goalkeeper, Elia Taubo took the chance for the Rangers with his kick being good and giving the Rangers their final lead of the day.
At half, Regis led the shooting attempts 10-3 over Colorado Mesa.
The second half looked to be scoreless all until the last-minute action, with the theme of the game being yellow cards galore as in total there were nine of them issued. Eight of those came in the second half.
Ponce Casas scored his goal in the 90th minute to tie the game and avoid the loss.
In the net, Alejandro Jimenez got his first start of his career for the Mavs with the Junior totaling five saves on 17 shots faced.
Getting tomorrow off before returning to action on Sunday, the Mavs will now host South Dakota Mines this weekend when they take on the Hardrockers for a 1 P.M. start. Sunday's game will also be the team's senior day with seven seniors being honored postgame.
