Sports Reporter
ksparkhu@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
The Mavericks’ men’s soccer team was hoping to close out its string of away games with three impressive victories in RMAC play, including one against the defending national champion Fort Lewis Skyhawks.
The Mavs had a tough matchup against the Skyhawks, who had beaten them previously in the season at home 1-0 in a double overtime contest. However, coach Josh Pittman felt that his team was better prepared and ready for the defending national champions and coached his team to an impressive 2-0 victory on Wednesday night. The win marked the first in history for the Mavericks against the D2 perennial power.
“[We] didn’t make many mistakes,” Pittman said. “We limited a very strong offensive team to only one shot on goal, which was huge. I kept telling our team that we needed to score first, and when we did, we were able to play our game from there. It was awesome.”
Marco Escobar continued to excel offensively for the Mavs, racking up his fourth goal of the season with a low-driving shot in the 47th minute to take the lead 1-0. The Mavs’ defense then stepped up with a few impressive saves by goalkeeper Micah Conrads, preventing any score from the Skyhawks.
In the 84th minute, Brandon Burton capitalized on a breakaway opportunity and scored the second goal of the game (his third on the season) to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
Pittman stressed to his team after the emotional win to not be a one-hit wonder in winning a big game and struggling in the next.
“We played very well and we all had some tired legs,” Pittman said. “The elevation always makes it tough, but we avoided the hangover of a big victory and in the end just found a way to win.”
The win pushed the Mavs’ record to 6-3-1 overall and 4-2-0 in RMAC play.
Next up for the Mavericks was the Grizzlies of Adams State. The Mavs had a decisive victory over their in-state rivals at home earlier in the season, winning 2-0. But they knew that the Grizzlies were going to come out and give them a tough match.
After a defensive struggle that lasted around 60 minutes, the first and only goal of the contest came off of a cross from Patrick LaPorta to the near post where Phil Neuwirth put it in to take the lead 1-0. The goal would stand for the Mavericks after another shutout was put up by Micah Conrads and the defense.
With two road shutouts already in the week, the Mavs were hoping to get their third victory on Sunday against the UCCS Mountain Lions. They were able to once again grab a 1-0 shutout victory.
“UCCS was a big game because we only play them once in the season, so it was pretty much like a playoff game for us,” Pittman said. “It was a very tough, physical game. We can play with the best teams.”
The Mavericks have now won six of their last seven games. The win moves the Mavericks into a clear second place in the RMAC standings behind Regis, with an overall record of 8-3-1 and 6-2 in conference play.
The Mavericks get a few days off before hosting Colorado School of Mines this Friday at Walker Field and are looking to continue their success both home and away.
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