Colorado Mesa University continued their two-way play and secured a 2-0 win-or-go-home victory Tuesday night in their first-round matchup of the RMAC Tournament against MSU Denver. The Mavericks have now outscored their opponents 5-0 in the past two contests and are playing some of their best soccer as they head into the semifinals.
The friendly confines of Walker Field had CMU’s offensive clicking early, helping Chris Boyd strike first for the Mavericks, who diced his way through the box to the left side of the goal and sealed the deal on a pass from Kevin Del Mazo. Boyd raced down the Mavericks sideline after the score which was his third of the season.
The goal was CMU’s first at Walker Field after roughly 215 straight minutes of play at home. CMU was shutout in their previous two contests at Walker Field.
CMU’s ball control and ball skills were much improved in the first half of the contest. The team gave themselves multiple opportunities in tight situations.
“[The players] have been in huge games, “Head coach Todd Padgett said. “We haven’t had a better 90-minute performance on the year. That’s exciting when you’re in the postseason.”
The Mavericks kicked 12 shots in the first half with six coming on goal, outshooting the Roadrunners by six shots. Briley Guarneri had four saves in the first half.
Matthew Miller did more damage for the Mavericks in the 60th minute. Facing the goal straight on, Miller received a perfect pass from Ethan Anderson from the left corner and netted a quick kick in for the Maverick’s second score of the contest to push their lead to 2-0. Lawan Abary, with a bright smile on his face, embraced Miller with a hug and just like that, the Mavericks were in control and felt energized for the rest of the match.
Multiple Mavericks played the full 90 minutes in the match, something that hasn’t been seen too often this year, but playoffs and situational soccer can bring out different scenarios.
“I think it’s situational dependent,” Padgett said. “When you’re playing knockout soccer it becomes a little different situation then just regular season.”
CMU nearly made it 3-0 when Del Mazo burst down the sideline for an entry pass. Miller pushed the ball past a Roadrunner defender with Del Mazo in perfect position. Del Mazo then sent a short pass to Colton Shafer but his shot was high.
The Roadrunners were much more effective offensively in the second half but the Maverick defense continued to clamp down. Guarneri only registered one save in the letter half since many opportunities to push the ball close to the goal were thwarted by the Mavericks.
CMU kicked 19 shots (eight on goal) while MSU Denver sent 15 shots (five on goal). Miller and Boyd had one score apiece while Abary had 3 shots (one on goal). Guarneri finished with five saves and his fourth shutout.
The playoff victory ensures the Mavericks will move on to the semifinal round of the RMAC Tournament. CMU will face off against Westminster College, the #2 seed, who earned a first-round bye.
The Mavericks have last year’s experience in Golden to fall back on, but it will be important for the team to stay in the present in what should be a tough matchup between both teams.
“The past is always going to factor in the present day, but the present day is different in sports,” Padgett said. “If they play with the urgency they’ve had the past few games, I like our chances.”
The match is set for Friday, Nov. 2 in Golden, CO.
The two teams tied the season series 1-1. CMU took the first game, a 4-2 road win, but the Mavericks lost their latest matchup against the Griffins who handed them their first loss of the season in a 2-0 victory on Oct. 14.
#1 Colorado School Of Mines will face #5 UCCS in the other RMAC semifinal match in what should be a competitive weekend of soccer.
“I personally have never been a part of a more competitive conference, from top to bottom,” Padgett said. “You have four teams who can hoist the trophy at the end. We’ll be competitive, we’ll fight till the last whistle, and we’ll certainly hope things go our way.”
