CSU-Pueblo snaps losing streak with 25-yard game-winner.

By Anthony Sandstrom, CSU-Pueblo Athletics

PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Oct. 8, 2010) - After dropping five straight games, CSU-Pueblo desperately needed its leadership to step up and deliver a win over Adams State Friday night.

That win was delivered courtesy of the right foot of junior Melissa Christensen (Jr., Kenosha, Wisc.).

The Pack midfielder was the beneficiary of a sweet series of moves by fellow junior, Gabby Gonzales (Jr., Centennial, Colo.), who juked three players to deliver a clean pass to a wide open Christensen about 25 yards from the goal, and fired a game-winning laser off the top cross bar just 90 seconds into the first overtime, sending the Pack to a 2-1 overtime clipping of Adams State.

The win came on the heels of an effective defensive night for the Pack, only seven shots to be fired on goal and very few legitimate scoring chances by the Adams State offense.

Most importantly, the win was just what the doctor ordered - snapping the doldrums of a five-game skid.

"This week we focus on hustling, even on the smallest of things, and it worked," Pack coach Janet Cassidy said.  "We stayed mentally tough, especially in overtime, and play by [Gonzales and Christensen] was brilliant."

For the Pack, it was a good start to a short, one-match weekend which will see them play at home again Wednesday night in a "Steel and Silver Series" showdown with UC-Colorado Springs, where the Pack will look to avenge a loss earlier in the season to the Mountain Lions.