PUEBLO, Colo. – Finishing their four-game road stretch with an undefeated record and moving to 7-0-1 in conference play, the #20 Colorado Mesa University Women's Soccer Team played to a 2-0 victory over the CSU Pueblo this afternoon at Art & Lorraine Gonzales Stadium.
Remaining as the No. 1 team in the conference standings, the Mavericks are now 11-2-1 this season with them being one of just three schools to clinch a spot into the RMAC Women's Soccer Championship. CSU Pueblo dropped to 3-7-5 (2-4-3 RMAC) with the loss as they are now in seventh place of the league.
The Mavs played to a scoreless first half to start the game today before notching two goals in the final 20 minutes to secure the victory.
The duo of Sarah Dunn and Braelyn Baclayon both scored in the contest with this being the Mavs second straight year defeating the Thunderwolves.
Playing to zeros in the first half, both teams weren't able to break the threshold as defense dominated with just 11 shots being attempted. Colorado Mesa held the advantage at 10-1 with five of those shots being on goal, but staunch defense prevented any goals from scoring.
The Mavs looked to nearly take the lead before halftime as they were granted a penalty kick opportunity in the 45th minute, but a diving stop by the Thunderwolves' goalkeeper saved Peyton Bundy's PK opportunity and kept the game at bay.
The first 27 minutes of the second half featured more strong defensive play from each team as well, but it was in the 73rd minute that the game changed as Colorado Mesa jumped on the board.
Scoring on a corner kick, Sarah Dunn lifted the Mavs to take the lead after she received a long cross pass from the corner to which she bounced the ball off her chest and flicked in from short range.
This was Dunn's third goal this season while Kylie Wells earned the assist.
Building on the team's lead to follow in the 87th minute was then Braelyn Baclayon for the Mavs with her knocking the ball in from just inside the penalty area.
This was Baclayon's first goal and points of the season.
As a defense, the Mavs held the Thunderwolves to just two shots total of offense in the game while only allowing one of those shots to be on goal. This being their eighth shutout in a row extends their school record of consecutive shutouts in a season. In total they have accumulated 11 shutouts on the year.
Returning home now for two games, the Mavs take on both UCCS and Regis University this next weekend for a Thursday, Sunday split. Tickets can be purchased online at cmumavericks.com/tickets
