ALAMOSA, Colo.- Traveling to southern Colorado for the first time this season, the Colorado Mesa University men's soccer team shutout the Adams State Grizzlies 2-0 to earn their second RMAC win and third shutout of the season. The Mavericks improve their overall record to 4-1-5 while Adams State falls to 1-7-1.
The game started casually as both teams tried to get a feel for the game. The Grizzlies managed to get the first scoring chance of the game in the fourth minute after a defensive mishap, but Nathan Beck was able to put a stop to it. The Mavs got their first shot just 30 seconds later when Matteo Bonelli got a look, but his chance missed left.
The Mavs got two more chances less than a minute later from Stefanos Christodoulakis and Dylan Hobson, but both of their chances fell short. The Mavs continued to dominate offensively as they continued to keep the ball in the Grizzlies' side of the field.
The Mavs were looking to build up play near the center circle when Mostafa Hassan broke free of the defense and ran down the left flank. He whipped it into the box where Matteo Bonelli managed to get a shot off, but it was saved by the keeper and cleared by the defense.
However, the Mavs retained possession after the clearance and looked to get another shot at scoring. The ball went to Edoardo Oliveri, where he then passed it to Richie Tabares Ochoa. He managed to get just enough on his next pass to get it back to Oliveri, who scored with a brilliant finish with his left foot.
The Mavs did not get another look on goal until the 18th minute when Hobson's shot missed wide right of the goal. Bonelli also tried to score but his opportunity was saved by the goalkeeper. George Jones and Hobson managed to get two more shots off, but both came up empty. Hassan got another shot off in the 25th minute, but it was once again saved by the keeper.
The aggression on offense continued for the Mavs as Tabares Ochoa got another shot off in the 32nd minute but his shot missed high. Hayes Malone got in on the action, but his shot also missed. The Grizzlies tried to get a shot off from range before the half, but the shot sailed over the net.
The second half started the same way as the first, with both teams feeling the game out. Diego Medina managed to get the first shot of the half, but it missed left of the goal.
Three minutes later, the Mavs continued to attack as they got a golden opportunity to add a second when they went on a counterattack. A cross from Hassan gave Bonelli a chance to score off a header, but it was saved by goalkeeper once again.
Christodoulakis also got an opportunity just a few minutes later, but his shot missed as well. However, the Mavs aggressive play on offense paid off once again.
The Mavs once again found themselves in the Grizzlies' defensive third as a great give and go saw Tabares Ochoa fly down the left flank. He crossed it into the box where Bonelli was waiting. He fired it into top left corner giving the Mavs the 2-0 lead.
The Grizzlies attempted to cut the lead in half, but their shot missed wide right. Jaxson Dowling managed to get a shot off but it was blocked by the defense. He had another one just four minutes later from long range but it was blocked.
The Grizzlies attempted another shot from beyond the box but it was easily saved by Beck. Justin Ibrahim got two shots off for the Mavs as well, but both were saved by the goalkeeper.
The Grizzlies managed to get a good shot off a set piece a few minutes later, but Beck was able to corral the chance. Both teams traded shots, and both defenses managed to stop them. Hobson got another look in the 85th off a free kick but it was blocked. The Mavs got one more look from James Maxwell but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper once again.
Despite only scoring twice, the Mavs outshot the Grizzlies 24-6 and won the shots on goal battle 10-3. Oliveri scored his fifth goal of the season while Bonelli scored his second. Tabares Ochoa picked up his fourth and fifth assists of the season and as well. Beck finished the day with three saves while not giving up a goal for the third time this season.
The Mavs continue their road trip as they travel to Durango to take on Fort Lewis on Oct. 4. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Dirks Field.
