mfreter@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

The men’s soccer team ended its four-game homestand this weekend with RMAC matches against Metro State University and Regis University.

The Mavs struggled offensively throughout the weekend, as they were only able to put in one goal combined in a draw against the Roadrunners and a loss to the Skyhawks. Despite the lackluster offense, the Mavericks (8-5-2, 6-4-2 RMAC) were able to clinch a spot in the conference tournament.

“It feels great,” forward Alan Hernandez said. “It’s the best in school history for our soccer program. It’s a first for us to be in so early.”

Their first match on Friday against Metro State ended in a 0-0 tie. The Mavericks applied the most pressure between the two teams with five shots on goal coming from Marco Escobar, Phil Neuwirth and Patrick LaPorta. The defense held the Roadrunners from taking a single shot, allowing goalkeeper Micah Conrads to pick up his seventh shutout on the year.

The final home game of the season came against the No. 1 ranked Regis University. CMU came out strong in the opening minutes and tallied the first point of the game in the seventh minute with a goal by Hernandez in the top left corner of the net outside of the goalkeeper’s reach.

However, the Rangers would respond quickly with two goals in the 11th and 15th minutes to take an early 2-1 lead. Some questionable calls by the referees late in the first half led to another goal by Regis in the 43rd minute, who took a commanding two-goal lead into halftime. They would add their final goal of the game in the 51st minute off of a defensive breakdown in the center of the box. Conrads had one save on six shots and picked up his fifth loss on the season in the 4-1 match.

“When we played them last time, we played well and only lost by one goal,” Hernandez said. “We’re right there with this team. I guess we just weren’t ready for today’s game.”

The Mavericks will complete the regular season on the road this weekend when they take on CSU-Pueblo and Colorado School of Mines this weekend.