Mavericks move on to RMAC Championship game

CMU outlast CSU-Pueblo with an explosive second quarter to advance to the RMAC Championship.

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Junior attackman/midfielder Joe Wulforst IV led Colorado Mesa University with four goals and two assists to an 18-11 win over Colorado State University-Pueblo in the semifinals of the RMAC Tournament. Quick ball movement was the key to the Mavericks win, as the team compiled 13 assists in the game. 

CMU alternated goaltenders in the game, as redshirt sophomore Nick Wilson took the first and third quarter, and junior Christian Cherry took the second and fourth quarter.  

CMU will look to win another RMAC Title in the Championship game (Nico Ortega for the Criterion).

Wulforst IV scored the first goal of the game, but the Thunderwolves answered with two goals of their own to take their only lead on the day. Shortly after, the Mavericks would go on four-goal and then a two-goal run in the to take a 7-3 lead.  

Thunderwolves’ Caleb Cole scored the first goal of the second quarter, both teams would go on to trade goals early in the period, but later, the Mavericks would overpower CSU-P to grab a 12-6 lead going into the half. The Mavericks had five different scorers on their five goals in the second quarter, showing their versatility on the offensive end.  

Coming out of the half, the Thunderwolves switch goalies from freshman Garrett Breeling, to another freshman Ethan Ferrie who had eight saves in the quarter helping CSU-P outscore CMU 4-3 in the third. However, the Mavericks’ effort level never died as they picked up 20 groundballs in the quarter helping them keep their lead.  

To close the game out, the Mavericks scored three more goals in the fourth to the Thunderwolves. This outing should give the Mavericks some momentum going into the championship game against Westminster who defeated Adams State in the other semifinal game, as CMU moved the ball well and showed good chemistry in the game which is always needed to bring home a championship. 

CMU’s second leading scorers are senior midfielder Jack Griffin who had two goals and two assists and tied with Griffin is senior midfielder Brandon Wilson who had one goal and three assists in the game.  

The Mavericks had six players with three or more points in the game, as they went five for five on man-up opportunities and picked up 57 groundballs. 

Image courtesy of Nico Ortega | The Criterion