GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Taking on a pair of schools from the Mile High City and playing to their last home game of the regular season, the Colorado Mesa University Men's Soccer Team plays the duo of Colorado Christian University and MSU Denver this weekend as they look to make a push for a spot into the RMAC Men's Soccer Championship.
Playing to a split schedule, the Mavericks first head to Lakewood on Friday morning to take on Colorado Christian at 11 A.M. at Trailblazer Stadium before returning home for Sunday's match against MSU Denver at 2:30 P.M. at Community Hospital Unity Field.
Sunday's final home game will also feature the event of it being CMU Camp/Youth Club Day where any youth in the community that has attended a CMU Soccer Camp this year will be given free entry to the game.
LAST WEEK'S GAMES
The Mavs maintained their unbeaten home record (5-0-2) and extended their overall unbeaten streak to six this past weekend as they picked up a win and a tie over two opponents at home.
Maverick senior Manuel Ponce Casas scored the game-tying goal off a penalty kick with just 11 seconds remaining in Friday's 2-2 tie against Regis with this being the team's second tie in conference play.
Nathan Hernandez and Kamden Kooiman then scored first half goals in Sunday's 2-0 Senior Day win over South Dakota Mines as the Mavericks recognized their seven seniors following the game, including Ponce Casas.
Grand Junction Central High School product Alejandro Jimenez made three saves in the win over the Hardrockers to record his first shutout as a Maverick.
Cain Castellon also scored in Friday's tie against Regis as Jimenez made his first start while making five saves.
Following the results, the Mavs continue to sit third place in the RMAC standings with 14 points. The top six teams will qualify for the RMAC Tournament with the top two earning a quarterfinal round bye and the right to host a semifinal.
The third and fourth place teams will host quarterfinal match-ups.
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS
With just three games left to play this season, the Mavs are still a top five offense in the nation to this point with them averaging 2.64 goals per game. Their 37 total goals this year ranks them among the best in the country with only three other schools scoring more.
As a defense, they have limited opponents to just 23 goals in return while giving up just four goals in their last five games. They have four shutouts recorded this season.
Individually, Manuel Ponce Casas has proved to be the team's top offensive threat with the Senior totaling 20 points on the year and owning nine goals and two assists.
In his career, Ponce Casas has scored 27 goals and counting while owning the third most in program history.
Proving to be another offensive weapon on the team is Nathan Hernandez who has totaled seven goals and four assists this year for 18 points.
Beyond the top two, Kamden Kooiman has scored five goals with Matteo Bonneli adding four to round out the top scorers.
Hernandez, Bonelli and Riccardo Legnante have all added four assists as well.
Nathan Beck and Alejandro Jimenez have both seen time in the net this season with the duo combining for a 1.64 goals-against average and 44 saves. Beck leads the pair with 37 saves himself.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
Fairing a tough season thus far, Colorado Christian comes into this weekend boasting a 2-10-3 record while sitting at 2-3-2 in RMAC play.
This past week they went 0-1-1 with a 1-1 tie against UCCS before falling to then #11 CSU Pueblo 3-2. In addition to last week's matches, the Cougars also faced off on Tuesday this week with #13 Fort Lewis with the this being a makeup date to resume their prior suspended match on Oct. 3. Fort Lewis ended up winning the match 5-0.
In the series history with each other, Colorado Mesa has never lost to the Cougars in their 26 matchups as they own a 24-0-2 record. The Mavs have been victorious in the last four meetings.
This season the Cougars have been outscored 17-31 while scoring the second fewest goals in the conference.
Salvador Fernandes and Lucas Peruzo serve as the team's scoring leaders scoring six and five goals each.
Three goalkeepers have all seen time in the net with Campbell Wolfgram starting in ten of the games to lead the team and totaling 48 saves.
Closing the weekend against MSU Denver, the Roadrunners are 7-3-5 this year while going 5-1-1 in RMAC play. They currently are in second place of the conference standings, just two points ahead of the Mavs.
Last week the Roadrunners went 1-1 in their games with an emphatic 3-2 road win over #11 CSU Pueblo before falling 3-0 against UCCS.
Adan Perez has five goals and two assists to lead the team in points while 14 other players have scored at least one goal each.
Nick McNeil has started all 15 games in the net totaling 41 saves and owning a 1.33 goals-against average.
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
