Home field has never been better for the Colorado Mesa University men’s soccer team as they won their 10th straight game at Walker Field dating back to last season after their 1-0 victory over MSU Denver.
The first half was a defensive show with neither team letting the other gain any offensive momentum. There were moments to score, but the Roadrunners corralled four saves while the Mavericks Briley Guarneri had two saves in 45 minutes and recorded his second straight shutout.
CMU points leader Lawan Abary sent a header that required quick hands for the save, and MSU keeper James Tanner did just that, keeping the game scoreless.
Kevin Del Mazo nearly put the Mavericks ahead just four minutes into the second half, but his shot sailed wide right. Two minutes later, Cameron Stopforth tried to answer for the Roadrunners but Guarneri came up with the denial, his third save of the game.
After competitive back and forth for another 20 minutes, Del Mazo took care of business and gave the Mavericks the lead. In the 69th minute, Peter Vandam found Del Mazo, who was crowded by MSU defenders but zipped the ball past Tanner.
Mavericks surrounded Del Mazo in celebration after a long defensive battle turned into a 1-0 lead for CMU.
The score was Del Mazo’s second goal on the season. The senior has recorded an assist or goal in every game except one this season and now has 10 points, good for second on the team and behind Abary (17). The assist was Vandam’s first.
MSU made a late push in the 88th minute but Gianni Steijlen’s shot was wide and sealed the victory for CMU.
The Mavericks are now 5-0-2 and 3-0-1 in RMAC play.
CMU will head to Utah for a pair of road games this weekend. Their first game will be on Friday, Sep. 28 on Dumke Field against Westminster College at 3 p.m.
