The Mavericks pull off the 20-point win against the Thunderwolves

Josh Coleman • April 11, 2022

The Mavericks pulled off a dominant 21-1 win over the Thunderwolves to improve to 5-1 against Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opponents.

Colorado Mesa University (CMU) had 15 different players score a goal in the game. The Mavericks posted a season-low in turnovers as they turned the ball over just nine times against Colorado State University-Pueblo (CSUP).

Redshirt sophomore attacker Melanie Evans and redshirt sophomore midfielder Taylor Jakeman led CMU in scoring with the same state line. Both Evans and Jakeman scored one goal and dished out three assists in the game.

Taylor Jakeman looks for an open teammate against Colorado State University-Pueblo on April 8. | *Brenna Barkley for The Criterion*

Evans got the Mavericks on the board 50 seconds into the game off an assist from Jakeman. Redshirt sophomore attacker Regan Wentz and redshirt sophomore midfielder Kiley Davis put the Mavericks up 3-0 with back-to-back man-up goals.

Wentz and Jakeman extended the Maverick’s lead with two more goals with 9:59 remaining in the first quarter. CMU’s offense found its groove as they posted five more goals in the first quarter to take a 10-0 lead to initiate the running-clock rule that would last the rest of the game.

Redshirt sophomore defender Kelsey Viger scored her second career goal 25 seconds into the second quarter. She forced a turnover 15 seconds into the quarter, beat everyone down the field and put a bounce shot into the net.

The Mavericks came back with two more goals in the opening five minutes of the second quarter to take a 13-0 lead. Freshman attacker Brooke Vafi and redshirt junior midfielder Ashton Whittle each scored a goal to give CMU a 15-0 lead going into the halftime break.

Whittle got the Mavericks scoreboard in the third quarter on a free-position shot for her 12 goal of the season.

Ashton Whittle races down the sideline past the Skyhawks defender against Fort Lewis College on March 6. | *Brenna Barkley for The Criterion*

Freshman midfielder Ali Bryant put the Mavericks up by 17 goals as she cut through the defense, caught a pass from Jakeman and scored a quick-stick goal. Freshman attacker Caroline Ohngemach scored the final goal of the third quarter on a man-up opportunity off an assist from Davis.

Ashley Hendricks got CSUP on the board to avoid the shutout with 13:22 left in the game. Redshirt sophomore attacker Xcaret Salvador came back with her first goal of the season to put CMU up 19-1 two minutes later.

Freshman attackers Sara Hiller and Ohngemach scored the final two goals of the game for CMU to give the Mavericks the 20-point win.

CMU controlled the ground ball battle as they finished with a 19 to 13 advantage in ground balls. The Mavericks also won 13 draw controls in the game.

Bryant, Davis, Ohngemach and Whittle all scored three points in the game for the Mavericks.

CMU’s next game is Thursday, April 14 at 3:00 p.m. against Fort Lewis College in Durango Colo.

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