DENVER, Colo.- Making the trip to the Mile High City, the Colorado Mesa University women's soccer team capped off an undefeated road trip by beating the MSU Denver Roadrunners 2-0 in a dominant defensive display.
The Mavericks went on the offensive right away as Mari Ige fired a shot just 46 seconds into the game, but it sailed left of the goal. After that initial shot, both teams tried to feel the game out as they jostled for possession. However, the second shot from the Mavs had a much better result.
After an errand pass by the Roadrunners, Parker Mairs crossed a ball into the box where it found the head of Angelina Kazinec. Her header found the bottom right corner, giving the Mavs the early lead.
The Mavs had another shot on goal from Olivia Bariao-Arce but it sailed left of the goal. Both teams continued to fight for possession but the Mavs found another shot from Vanessa Pirrello but her shot missed the crossbar.
The final shot of the half came from Katie Lozano-Monjaraz but her shot also missed the crossbar. The Roadrunners got nothing going in the first half offensively as the Mavs defense smothered any chance the Roadrunners had.
The second half saw more of the same from the Mavs as Kazinec looked to add a second goal to her day but her shot missed. Mairs got an opportunity to score as well but her chance was saved by the goalkeeper.
After some more back and forth, the Mavs had a prime opportunity to tack on another one in the 71st minute. They regained possession after another errand pass, where the ball got into possession of Savanah Miller. She then made a great pass to Bariao-Arce, who cut through the defense and buried her shot in the bottom right corner to give the Mavs a two-goal advantage.
The Mavs defense held strong and continued to put pressure on the Roadrunners. Pirrello got another shot off in the 80th minute, but it was saved by the keeper. The Roadrunners tried to get something going offensively near the end but it was no use.
The Mavs dominated on all fronts, outshooting the Roadrunners 10-0 with five of those shots being on target. Kazinec and Bariao-Arce both scored their first goal of the season while Mairs and Miller earn their first assists of the season. Despite an uneventful day in goal, Keely Wieczorek notched her 39th career shutout. The Mavs defense put up an amazing performance, allowing no shots for the first time since March 28, 2021 when they shutout Black Hills State.
The Mavs return to Grand Junction for their long-awaited home debut against Fort Lewis on Sept. 25. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. inside Community Hospital Unity Field.
