PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Oct. 5, 2012) - The last time the CSU-Pueblo men's soccer team played Metro State, the loss left a bad taste in the teams mouth. Behind two goals from Jonny Sawyer (So., Aurora, Colo.) the Pack was able to avenge that early loss with a 3-0 win over the Roadrunners.
The Pack looked to take it Metro State early as they exhausted the Roadrunners with their passing and movement. Metro State had trouble getting anything going as the Pack pushed the tempo all night.
"If we had to script it and have an ideal situation against a quality opponent like Metro State, the game couldn't have gone any better," coach Roy Stanley said. "The main thing we've been talking about is not taking any unneccessary risks, we did that and it really helped."
Even with the Pack pushing the tempo, they weren't able to reap the benefit until 40:08. Rene Chacon (So., Pueblo, Colo.) sent a nice through ball that knifed through the defense finding Sawyer, who finished the play to put the Pack up 1-0.
In the second half, the Pack continued their solid play when Matt Marchena (Fr., Littleton, Colo.) broke through the defense to launch a heavy shot that rebounded off a Roadrunner defender. The rebound was picked up by Sawyer who sent a deep shot that beat the keeper in the upper left corner.
Metro State knew it would have to press to get back in the game leaving an odd number of defenders back. The Pack was able to break from the pressure to go on an odd man break that saw Mountan Mitchell (RFr., Kailua, Hawaii) alone to finish to go up 3-0.
The defense was solid all evening as the back line did a great job of breaking up the long ball being played by Metro State. Goalkeeper Patrick Markis (Sr., Tempe, Ariz.) also did a great job in net to secure his first clean sheet of the season, finishing with eight saves.
"We feel good about putting together back-to-back 90 minute games, we feel if we can keep doing that, we'll compete and set us up with a spot in the RMAC tournament," coach Stanley said.
The impressive performance has the Pack set up for a big game against Colorado Mines, Sunday. Kick off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
