Five victories in a row sounded good for CMU men’s soccer as they prepared for Dixie State University (DSU) Sunday afternoon. In a hard-fought battle, the Mavericks won their fifth conference game of the year, defeating the Trailblazers 2-1 and handing them their fourth conference loss.
The Mavericks found themselves down 1-0 early in the contest after Moises Medina sent a pass to the left wing and Tony Foulger finished the play from 15 yards out.
A foul by Dixie State in the 18th minute gave CMU a chance to tie the game on a penalty kick. The Mavericks sent Kevin Del Mazo to take the PK, and the senior delivered, knotting the score at 1-1.
With only three minutes left in the first half, Maverick freshman Tristan Widic scored his first goal of the season and gave CMU a 2-1 lead.
The Trailblazers almost got past CMU goalkeeper Briley Guarneri in the final minute of the half, but Guarneri booted the ball down the field, avoiding near disaster. The two collided, but the CMU goalie got up shortly after.
Matthew Miller nearly put the Mavericks up by two goals with a header in the 63rd minute but his shot was high and over the goal.
Both teams were nipping at each other’s heels all day with multiple players running frantically toward offensive players. The Trailblazers had some opportunities near the Mavericks goal but often passed the ball wide of a teammate.
DSU was inches away from tying the game with just eight minutes left but Guarneri fell in front of the ball to secure his second save of the game.
The Mavericks kicked 15 shots in the contest with five coming on goal and had three saves. The Trailblazers had 9 shots with four on goal.
CMU is neck and neck with Colorado School of Mines atop the RMAC standings after Sunday’s win. CMU is 5-0-1 in conference play while Mines is 6-0. The Mavericks, however, are still undefeated at 7-0-2 and the Orediggers are 9-1, losing a non-conference game in early September but they are now surging with eight straight wins.
The 7-0-2 Mavericks return to Walker Field on Friday to face UCCS at 7 p.m.
