By Weston Allenback
PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Oct. 21, 2012) - The CSU-Pueblo men's soccer team increased their streak of shutouts to five games, with a 4-0 win over RMAC powerhouse Fort Lewis at Rawlings Sports Complex Sunday afternoon.
It seemed as if the Skyhawk's were pushing the Pack back on their heels early, but as soon as the ThunderWolves found a good chance to break the 0-0 tie they did. Jonny Sawyer (So., Aurora, Colo.) dribbled through the defense and found himself all alone with just the keeper to beat, and slotted the ball in the back of the net giving the Pack a 1-0 lead with 16 minutes left in the first half.
As soon as the ThunderWolves broke the tie, they began to play with a new found confidence. They added a second goal just three minutes after their first. Pack midfielder Matt Marchena (Fr., Littleton, Colo.) sprung free down the sideline and dribbled from midfield down to the edge of the penalty box to serve a ball to Trason Merritt (Jr., Anchorage, Alaska), who touched it past the Skyhawk goalkeeper to make it 2-0 CSU-Pueblo.
With a two goal lead and all the momentum on their side the Pack came out in the second half and put the game out of reach for the Skyhawk's. Sawyer netted his second of the game with another quick shot after beating the Fort Lewis defense to make it, 3-0, just ten minutes into the second half.
Just for good measure the ThunderWolves added a fourth goal, this time it was because of lackluster defense from the Skyhawks. Ryan Hunter (Sr., Goodyear, Arizona) had time to settle a cross from Alex Marin (So., Campeche, Mexico) inside the box, before blasting it past the keeper, who was once again hung out to dry.
"The way we have been playing, the guys are getting a new confidence," Head Coach of the ThunderWolves Roy Stanley said. "I think we began to get it four or five game ago when we started our scoreless streak."
This was the first win for the ThunderWolves over the Skyhawk's since 2004 when the beat them in the semi-finals of the RMAC tournament.
"It doesn't necessarily hurt to have a win like this, but it doesn't add anything to our confidence," Stanley said. "The biggest thing this does is keep us in the running in the RMAC. With us and Metro State so close, the four goals is great for us in the goal differential part."
Patrick Markis finished the day with seven saves as he continues his record setting shutout streak, which is now at 517 minutes.
The Pack closes out the 2012 regular season Friday when they host Colorado Mesa. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. as three Pack seniors will also be honored on the day.
