LAKEWOOD, Colo.- Capping off a short road trip, the Colorado Mesa University men's soccer team earned their first RMAC win of the season as they shutout the Colorado Christian Cougars 3–0 in great showing of both offense and defense.
The Cougars pounced right away as they had two quick shots in the third minute to open the game, but both were dealt by the Maverick defense and Nathan Beck. The first shot for the Mavs came from Afonso Taborda but his shot came up empty. However, the Mavs didn't have to wait long find their second.
Just before the 12th minute, Edoardo Oliveri managed to find the ball after a series of passes. He rushed down the left side of the field and crossed it into the box where Matteo Bonelli was waiting. Bonelli managed to get his right foot on the ball and stick it into the back of the net, giving the Mavs the lead.
The Mavs continued to get great looks on goal as Daniel Ehler tried to give the Mavs a second off a header, but it landed into the hands of the goalkeeper. Stefanos Christodoulakis also got a look as he broke through the defense and got a great shot off but it was again saved by the Cougars' goalkeeper. The Cougars tried to find the equalizer when they went on the counterattack, but their shot banged off the crossbar.
After a plethora of subs from both sides, the Mavs managed to get another opportunity on goal as Justin Ibrahim broke through the defense down the right flank. His first shot was blocked but his second shot came off his left foot and into the top left corner for a magnificant goal.
Connor Chilson also wanted to get in on the action but his shot was saved once again by the goalkeeper. The Cougars got two more chances to pull a goal back before the break but they both came up empty.
The second half began with both teams trying to get something going. The first shot of the half came off the foot of Jaxson Dowling but it was saved by the goalkeeper. The Cougars responded with a shot of their own, but it flew above the goal.
After some back and forth, the Mavs earned a set piece after a foul. The Mavs maneuvered the ball around the Cougars defense as Dowling made a great run down the right side. He crossed it in and landed at the feet of Richie Tabares Ochoa, who scored the third goal of the game for the Mavs with a brilliant finish.
The onslaught for the Mavs continued as Bonelli and Christodoulakis tried to add to the lead, but both shots missed the goal. The Cougars attempted to put a tally on the scoreboard with a shot of their own but their shot missed as well.
Both teams made multiple substitutions, and the Cougars attempted to capitalize as they fired a shot on goal just before the 80-minute mark, but it was saved by Beck.
George Jones and Toborda both got shots off but both missed the mark. The Cougars desperately tried to put one on the board in the dying minutes but all of their shots missed the mark.
The Mavs outshot the Cougars 17-12 with nine of their shots being on target. Tabares Ochoa scored his fifth goal of the season while Ibrahim and Bonelli scored their first. Dowling and Oliveri picked up their first assists of the year as well. Beck only made two saves and did not allow a goal once again.
The Mavs return home to take on the reigning RMAC champions in UCCS on Sept. 24. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. inside Community Hospital Unity Field.
