At the beginning of every year, a set of goals are established. For the Colorado Mesa University men’s soccer team the goal has grown every year. First, it was contention in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Last year, it was a complete dominance of the conference. This year the goal grew to national expectations. In order to meet that goal, it was up to Mavs to deliver against two teams at home that have similar goals to CMU.
In order to be a national contender, you must first be a contender in your national region. Wins against No.7 St. Edward’s and St. Mary’s this weekend proved the Mavs have the ability to step up to the next level.
“The season is split up into two segments,” Head coach Todd Padgett said. “Your first segment is the out-of conference, in-region play. Obviously, the dream is to go 4-0. We’ve never started 4-0 as a program; we’ve never even started 3-1. So I think this is a big step in the right direction.”
Judging by the performance on the pitch it would be hard to believe CMU was the underdog on Friday against the seventh-best team in the nation. The Mavs had six shots on goal to the Hilltoppers’ two. The first half was a scoreless affair, but the Mavs were in control. They were rewarded for their stellar play in the second half with two goals less than three minutes apart. Kevin Del Mazo crossed the ball to Benji Delgadillo, who soared over the defense to head the ball in for the opener.
“That assist I saw Benji running in,” Del Mazo said. “I was like that’s the guy to hit. He’s been great in practice with headers and you know, that goal got me motivated.”
That motivation was shown quick. Del Mazo was once again involved with the goal, this time as the scorer. Moshe Perez crossed the ball into the box, the Hilltoppers defense was caught ball watching. The full-back took a risk and defended Del Mazo’s run to the outside of the defensive wall. Instead, Del Mazo found an opening and cut to the inside, reaching out his foot and directing the ball to the goal for the 2-0 lead.
“When Moshe gets the ball, it takes one look for him to know what I’m gonna do,” Del Mazo said. “One cross and it went in.”
After the 2-0 victory, however, it wasn’t either goalscorer who got the praise from Padgett. But rather it was a defender who stepped up to replace the injured James McGhee.
“Dustin Wagner was nothing but extraordinary,” Padgett said. “This is his fourth season. He’s been someone who at times has been on the outskirts of things in terms of being selected to a starting 11. And he was nothing but superb and it couldn’t have happened to a better guy.”
Wagner was humble, knowing this win was only another step towards the ultimate goal.
“We just got to keep this going,” Wagner said. “Our team is playing great right now. We have to get another win on Sunday.”
Sunday against St. Mary’s, Del Mazo found the net for the third time this season. Joining him were his fellow friends and teammates in the M.KM. line. Malik Mennana opened the scoring five minutes into the game. Then Del Mazo’s goal allowed the Mavs to take a 2-0 lead at halftime.
The Rattlers would get a goal back, only for Moshe Perez to score in the 75th minute to secure CMU’s first 4-0 start in program history.
“It’s always a good day when your dynamic players show that they’re dynamic and put the ball in the net,” Padgett said.
The Regional sector of the season is behind CMU now, as they turn their attention towards the RMAC conference. Their first opponent in the conference? Colorado School of Mines, the last team to win the RMAC conference before the Mavs did last season, putting pressure on them to perform in a big way once again next Friday at 7 p.m.
