SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Concluding the regular season and playing to their final RMAC conference game of the year, the Colorado Mesa University Men's Soccer Team suffered a 4-1 loss this afternoon against the Griffins of Westminster University at Dumke Field.
Having already clinched a spot into the conference tournament, the Mavericks earned the No. 6 seed with the decision as they now look to continue their season this Sunday in the first round. They will play on the road at the No. 3 seed, Regis University, for that matchup with time set for 1 P.M. at Regis Turf Fields.
The Mavs end the regular season with a 8-6-3 (5-3-2 RMAC) record, while winning three more games than last year and qualifying for the postseason after missing out in 2024-25. During this year's season, they tied or beat all three top-10 ranked teams they faced while finishing as a top-10 offense in all of Division II.
The Griffins move to 10-6-2 (6-2-2 RMAC) with the decision while earning the No. 4 seed. They will take on the No. 5 seed in CSU Pueblo for their game on Sunday as well.
In a low scoring start, the first half of today's game featured just seven shots total being taken with both defenses leading the way in large part. The Griffins outshot the Mavs 6-1 in that time with a late goal being managed by Westminster in the 41st minute.
The Griffins scored in the 41st minute when they were granted a free kick from near midfield. Upon the ensuing pass downfield, the ball found its way into the penalty area before the second of two consecutive shots led to them taking the lead.
In the second half, the Griffins added another goal in the 52nd minute with this one coming on a header attempt after a corner kick was launched in front of the net.
Trying to battle back from the 2-0 deficit, Colorado Mesa was challenged even more to follow after a Red Card in the 70th minute led to them playing a man down for their second game in a row.
Despite the challenge, they still were able to score in the 74th minute with Stefanos Christodoulakis putting the Mavs on the board after knocking it from nearly 15 yards away. Christodoulakis was assisted by Manuel Ponce Casas and Kamden Kooiman in the score with each of them providing key passes.
Looking to battle for just a tie at this point, the Mavs unfortunately couldn't score again as the Griffins scored two more times in the final 15 minutes with a goal in the 79th and a successful penalty kick goal in the 83rd.
Colorado Mesa attempted eight shots in the loss with two of them being on goal.
Nathan Beck also started in the net for the Mavs recording one save on 15 shots faced.
Information on the RMAC Men's Soccer Championship will be released in the following days with streaming and live stat options also available.
