The Mavericks’ men’s soccer team played its first preseason match on the new and improved Walker Field last Saturday night.

Real Colorado Academy, an under-18 club team from Denver, served to be a tough opponent through the first half and stayed with the Mavericks until the last 20 minutes.

“We definitely should’ve put a lot more pressure on them,” sophomore Blake Carlson said. “They are a young but talented team, and I think we should’ve played much more aggressive, especially in the offensive half.”

The Mavericks controlled the ball throughout the majority of the game, and Corey Rhodes took a shot that was redirected and finished by Blake Carlson to put the Mavericks up 1-0 late in the game.

The Mavs started to show the endurance they’ve obtained through offseason conditioning as Real started to get fatigued and couldn’t keep up with the fast-paced play style. Some Real players started to get into it with the fans late, jawing back and forth with some profanity-laced comments.

The Mavs got a break away and finished a one-two shot and goal by Brandon Burton, the assist coming from Alan Flores. The Mavericks displayed their depth — especially in the keeper position — substituting three different players throughout the game.

“I don’t plan on playing all three like that during the season,” coach Josh Pittman said. “It’s going to be more like playing whoever has the hot hand. All three have looked great in practice and played great tonight.”

Overall, Pittman said he was pleased with the performance.

“We just need to work on finishing in front of the goal, but that will come,” Pittman said. “We keep getting better.”

The Mavericks’ next preseason game is against Utah ODP on Walker Field on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.

ksparkhu@mavs.coloradomesa.edu