Sports Editor
For the second straight weekend, The Colorado Mesa University men’s soccer team went winless at home, losing 3-2 against Colorado Mines and 1-0 against Metro State.
Friday’s game against Mines was dampened by rainy conditions, but the Mavs struck first in the 10th minute when forward Alan Hernandez buried a shot in the corner of the net. The Orediggers responded in the 25th minute, spreading the field on a counter attack. Midfielder Phillip Wilson tied the game for the Orediggers.
In the second half, the Mavs started aggressively, and a lofty pass down the field led to a Stevie Palma breakaway goal in the 55th minute. Palma now has two goals and an assist on the year.
The lead didn’t last long for the Mavs. Less than a minute later, Mines forward Baski Baker found the net in the 56th minute off a rebound from a free kick.
After over 20 minutes of back and forth, Mines midfielder Tesho Akindele scored the game-winner, slipping behind the defense and finishing at point-blank range. Although many Maverick players believed Akindele was offsides, the goal was upheld and the Orediggers escaped with a 3-2 victory.
“We looked to the linesman, and he said he was onsides,” midfielder Danny Molineaux said. “We didn’t agree, but there’s nothing you can do. The line judge isn’t going to change his mind.”
On Sunday, the Mavs faced Metro State College. The Mavericks and the Roadrunners failed to convert on many chances throughout the match. The Mavs took nine shots, landing only two on goal, while the Roadrunners put two shots on goal in 11 shots.
However, Metro State found the back of the net in the 71st minute. Forward Marc Herschberger scored the only goal of the game off a well-placed header from teammate Oladele Johnson. The Mavs took only one shot after Metro scored.
The Mavs are winless on the season with a record of 0-5-1, and 0-2-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
“Our work ethic isn’t good enough,” Molineaux said. “We aren’t physically strong enough and we aren’t being creative.”
Coach Josh Pittman said the team has to work hard defensively in order to win.
“We need to defend better on set pieces,” Pittman said. “We’ve given up a lot of goals that have changed games.”
Despite a winless record so far, Pittman said a win would help the team build momentum for the rest of the season.
“We need to win badly,” Pittman said. “We’re in a big slump. We need to know what it feels like to win again.”
CMU will travel to Durango to face Ft. Lewis this Wednesday, and will return to Walker field this weekend to take on Ft. Lewis on 7 p.m. Friday as well as Adams State College at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
dlmeyer@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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