The Colorado Mesa University (CMU) men’s soccer team made it 12 in a row at Walker Field Saturday afternoon, securing two clutch second half goals to secure a 2-1 win against Northern Nazarene University (NNU).
The Mavericks were down 1-0 19 minutes into game action in the first half after a score by NNU’s Rafael Junqueira on an assist from Jake Levine. It was the only shot the Nighthawks took in the first half.
CMU sent five shots in the first half, missing a couple shots high and just going wide on a shot by Conner Lowdermilk
Senior James McGhee was issued a yellow card at the end of the first half for the Mavericks as both teams committed just four fouls in the first half. The second played out differently for CMU with another senior and a newcomer giving the Mavericks a much needed boost.
After three more attempts by the Maverick offense to tie up the score, it was Matthew Miller who made it count on the fifth shot of the second half. Midfielder Kevin Del Mazo registered his third assist of the season when he sent a pass towards Matthew Miller who punched in the score to tie the game at 1-1.
Western Nebraksa Transfer and newcomer Lawan Abary made his season debut for the Mavericks, and it was one to remember. Del Mazo sent his 22nd assist of his career right into Abary’s vicinity who then scored his first goal as a Maverick to put the MAvericks up 2-1.
CMU keeper Briley Guarneri was busy in the second half and corralled three balls for saves to keep the Nighthawks at bay. Danny Cuevas gave the Mavericks a scare in the 89th minute, but was wide right.
Del Mazo’s 22 career assists places him in a tie with the all-time assist record at CMU.
The Mavericks kicked 17 shots in the contest (four on goal) while the Nighthawks had eight shots (four on goal).
CMU moves to 2-0-1 and will head to Durango to face Fort Lewis College on Friday, Sep. 14 at 3:30 p.m.
