DENVER, Colo.- In their penultimate match of the regular season, the Colorado Mesa University men's soccer team drew for the ninth time this season, putting up a 1-1 draw against MSU Denver.
The Roadrunners, who hosted their final match of the season, drew for the first time in RMAC play.
The first half didn't see a shot till the fifth minute when the Roadrunners got a look, but it was dealt with by the Mavs defense.
Edoardo Oliveri got the Mavs in the shot column in the 15th minute, however his chance was blocked by the defense.
Nathan Beck saw his first action of the contest when he saw four shots in eight minutes; he only had to save two of them, but the Roadrunners kept him alert.
The final three shots of the half came from Oliveri and Richie Tabares Ochoa, but all three of their chances came up short.
Both defenses dominated the first half and squandered any offensive chance that came their way.
The second half began the same way as the first, with both defenses handling any opposition that came their way. However, that changed at the hour mark.
Stefanos Christodoulakis was fouled inside the penalty area, earning the Mavs a penalty kick. Tabares Ochoa was tasked with taking the shot and buried it in the top left corner to give the Mavs a much-needed lead.
The Roadrunners responded with two more shots, both of which fell short. Christodoulakis had a great look at goal, but it was saved by the Roadrunners' goalkeeper Dominic Miller.
However, the Roadrunners earned a penalty in the 74th minute after a careless tackle in the box. Markus Beck stepped up to take it and scored the equalizer.
Amur Chekhoev got his first shot of the contest two minutes later, but it did not amount to anything. However, the Mavs caught a massive break when the Roadrunners went down to ten men with a little over twenty minutes remaining.
The Mavs went on the offensive mode right away and got a great chance from Jonah Elstad, but his shot was saved by Miller once again.
The Roadrunners went on the attack right after and managed to get two shots off, but they were both stopped by new Mavs keeper Kenneth Linn.
George Jones put up the last shot for the Mavs, which came up empty while the Roadrunners managed to make Linn work with another great look, which he managed to get a hand on it.
The Roadrunners got off one more shot than the Mavs did in their final home game of the season. Tabares Ochoa scored his ninth goal of the season, placing him seventh all-time in single-season goals.
Beck only played 76 minutes and made two saves; Linn stepped in and matched his save total.
The Mavs will conclude the regular season with a pivotal match at home on Wednesday against Westminster, who is just one spot ahead of them in the standings. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. inside Community Hospital Unity Field.
