GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- In their first home match of the season, the Colorado Mesa University men's soccer team played to 2-2 draw with the University of Jamestown. The Mavericks' move to 0-1-2 on the young season while the Jimmies' record turns to 0-0-3.
The first half was all Mavs as after a couple of quick chances at goal,
James Maxwell was able to find the back of the net just three minutes into the game. The Mavs continued to get pressure on the Jimmies goalkeeper with
Richie Tabares Ochoa,
Stefanos Christodoulakis,
Kamden Kooiman all having chances but they could not manage to find the back of the net.
The Jimmies' first shot on goal came in the 18th minute when a shot came just off the top of the bar and bounced beyond the goal-line. The Mavs kept the pressure on as
Justin Ibrahim,
Amur Chekhoev and
Connor Chilson would also get in on the action but could not find a goal as the first half ended in the Mavs' favor.
However, the second half would be very different. After a couple of chances on goal, the Jimmies managed to find an equalizer 11 minutes into the second half. With score now level at 1-1, the Mavs had to scramble to find the go- ahead goal. They continued to create chances with Taberes Ochoa and Kooiman all having shots come up empty. Both teams traded shots before the Jimmies found the go-ahead goal in the 65th minute, completely turning the tide of the game.
But the Mavs responded just three minutes later as Kooiman put in a great ball with
Jonah Elstad scoring a crucial equalizer. The teams continued to trade blows until the 85th minute when the Mavs were awarded a penalty, giving them an opportunity to take the lead with just five minutes left in the contest. However Ibrahim's penalty shot was saved by the Jimmies' goalkeeper. With the game still tied, both teams tried hard to find a winner with
Jaxson Dowling and Christodoulakis getting shots that did not come to fruition. The Mavs last chance came in the dying seconds as Taberes Ochoa was inches away from winning the game but was denied by the keeper.
The Mavs outshot the Jimmies 33-8 but committed 15 fouls.
Matheo Ledesma and Tabares Ochoa led the team in shots with six while Kooiman racked up two more assists to bring his season total to three.
Nathan Beck would make only one save and conceded two while Valon Islamaili made ten remarkable saves to keep the Jimmies in the game.
The Mavs will try to get their first win of the year against UC Merced on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. inside Community Hospital Unity Field.
