It seems like last year’s men’s soccer season was a generation ago after the way this year’s squad has started out. Three games in, the Mavs have surpassed last season’s win total with a 3-0 start. All of the games have been on the road, but that hasn’t stopped the team’s full effort attack of their opposition.
“A lot of things have gone right for us so far,” coach Josh Pittman said. “It’s good to just get going again and get the season started.”
The Mavs’ first game was in Lakewood Sept. 3 against Colorado Christian, where they won 3-0.  Early goals by seniors Sam Dixon and Nathan Poirier set the tempo for the Mavs and sophomore Ben Medina added a late goal.
Sept. 5 was the same story as the offense scored early and scored often, beating Adams State 4-1. A first half goal by senior Steve Shaw and two first half goals by senior Alex Mattevi gave the Mavs a big jumpstart.
“We have great control,” Pittman said. “The chemistry is very nice at the moment, and winning helps that.”
The Mavs finished Friday’s game with another shutout victory against Dixie State, winning 2-0. After a slow start, Bashiru Ali put the ball in the back of the net in the 30th minute after deflecting it off of Dixie State’s goalie Tyler Walters. Sophomore Mohamed Gaye sealed the deal with a goal with 24 minutes left in the game.
The Mavs have nine goals through three games, which is only three less than what they had all of last season. The one bright side from last year’s team was the play of goalie Josh Tinaglia, who became an assistant coach and is helping with this year’s goalies.
His presence has helped thus far as transfer senior goalie Chris Raines has allowed no goals in 204 minutes and junior Billy Martinez has allowed just one goal in 65 minutes.
“It’s great having Tinaglia around,” Pittman said. “He is well respected by everybody on the team and does a great job teaching the goalkeepers better moves and shows them good ways to improve.”
On Monday the Mavs played their first home game at Walker field against Division II soccer powerhouse Seattle Pacific University. The Mavs travel to play Colorado School of Mines Sept. 17 and Metro State Sept. 19 before playing Fort Lewis College at home Sept. 22.