GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Embarking on a trip up north, the Colorado Mesa University Men's Soccer Team travels to Nampa, Idaho this coming weekend as they look to take on a pair of teams from the GNAC conference in their continuing of nonconference play.
Facing off with two more teams that hail from the same super region, the Mavericks take on Western Oregon University first this week on Thursday with them then concluding their stay in Idaho on Sunday against Northwest Nazarene University. Thursday's game is set for a 4 P.M. start with Sunday then taking place at 3 P.M. as both games will take place at NNU Soccer Field with the Nighthawks serving as the host of the multiple game weekend.
This will be the second straight week the Mavs will take on in-region opponents as well with the Lone Star Conference, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference all being a part of the same super region.
LAST WEEK'S GAMES
Opening the season with a 1-0-1 record in their first weekend of play, the Mavs had a successful start to the year as they hosted the Colorado Mesa Men's Soccer Showcase. Playing a pair of teams from the Lone Star Conference, the Mavs faired a 1-1 draw against #10 Midwestern State to start their tournament before emphatically closing out their weekend with a 5-0 win over University of Texas at Dallas on Sunday afternoon.
Leading the offensive charge was freshman Kamden Kooiman who led all Mavs with two goals himself while the three others of Nathan Hernandez, Dylan Hobson and Joao Pedro Moraes each totaled one apiece. The final sixth goal of the weekend that resulted in the draw with Midwestern State came via an own goal with the Mustangs scoring against themselves. In addition, there were four assists recorded with all four coming against UT Dallas.
Nathan Beck started in the net both games with him only conceding one goal while totaling seven saves on 29 shots faced. He recorded his first career shutout in the victory over UT Dallas.
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS
Taking on Western Oregon to start their trip, the Wolves are currently 1-1 this season with them with playing to a 1-0 loss against UC Merced this past weekend before bouncing back with a 3-1 win against Hawaii Hilo. Prior to the week one rankings by the United Soccer Coaches Association the Wolves were preseason ranked #22 in the nation with them picked to finish to finish first in the GNAC this season.
2025 marks only the fourth season since Western Oregon has had Men's Soccer with this being the second time that the Wolves have played the Mavs. In their last matchup the Mavs were largely victorious with them winning by a score of 6-1 in 2022.
Only two players have scored goals for the team so far this season with Alex Grignon having two and Abraham Villalobos having one. Marcos Figueroa has added two assists as well. Justin Stewart has served as the team's goalkeeper with 10 saves recorded on 22 shots faced.
Following Thursday's matchup the Mavs take on host school Northwest Nazarene on Sunday to conclude their weekend with this being their seventh time to face off in school history. In last year's matchup the Mavs took home the victory with a 3-1 decision as Colorado Mesa is 6-1 all-time against the Nighthawks.
Entering 2025 the Nighthawks were voted to finish fifth in the GNAC with them sitting at 1-0-1 this season after playing to a 0-0 draw with MSU Denver before defeating Colorado Christian in a 5-4 shootout.
Offensively Rylan McPherson and Abdullahi Sharif are the team leaders with two goals each while Carson Din has added one himself. Gerardo Fonte has given up all four of the goals in the net while totaling seven saves on 22 shots faced.
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN
Streaming for both games will occur via the GNAC Network through their pay per view plan with live stats available online to follow along with as well. More information can be found at Northwest Nazarene's website at nnusports.com with the link for streaming at https://www.gnacnetwork.com/nnunighthawks/
