PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Sept. 7, 2013) - The CSU-Pueblo men's soccer team came to play Saturday night against the University of Texas-Permian Basin. Despite a two goal lead in the fist half, the Pack just couldn't hold on. They fell to the Falcons 6-3, earning them their second loss of the season.
After a loss on Friday against West Texas A&M, the Pack traveled to Odessa to face-up against the University of Texas-Permian Basin Falcons.
CSU-Pueblo got off to an early lead with an unassisted score by Matt Marchena (So., Littleton, Colo.) at the 11 minute mark, for the Packs' first goal of the season. Less than a minute later, T.J. Thiebaut (So., Pueblo, Colo.) followed suit with his first score of the year, a header to the right side of the net off an assist by Rene Chacon (Jr., Pueblo, Colo.) to put the Pack up 2-0.
UTPB quickly retaliated scoring their first goal of the night at the 13th minute by German Chavarria, making it three scores in less than two minutes off the clock.
That's when the Pack seemed to lose momentum. UTPB remained in control of the ball, coming away with two more scores before the half, to put the Falcons up 3-2 going into the second half.
The ThunderWolves returned to the pitch ready with an aggressive offense. A shot from the box by Ben Jepson (Rfr., Albuquerque, N.M.) at the 43rd minute mark was saved by UTPB goalie Tyler Gibson, as were the next two shots on goal by Marchena.
A header goal by Falcon Ciaran Connery from the right side to the center of the box, put the score at 4-2 with 26 minutes left in play.
At the 74th minute, Jonny Sawyer (Jr., Aurora, Colo.), took the ball through the middle and fired again, this time making the score, with an assist from Abel Corral (Jr., Chandler, Ariz.). Sawyer would finish with game with four shots and three shots on goal.
Two big saves by goalkeeper Sam Haseltine (So., St. Louis, Mo) gave the Pack some hope, which was quickly dashed by two goals from the Falcons in the last seven minutes of play.
The Pack fought hard offensively, but were outshot 23-13 and couldn't keep up on defense. Haseltine stayed busy with six saves on the day, but ultimately it wasn't enough. The ThunderWolves lost by a score of 6-3.
"We have some defensive work to do," said head coach Roy Stanley. "We made some critical mistakes."
According to Stanley "We are close, we're doing good things, but we still have work to do."
The Falcons were ranked fourth out of six teams in their Heartland Conference preseason rankings. They finished last season with a 6-12-0 overall record, but proved too difficult a team for the Pack to take down.
The ThunderWolves will host Midwestern State (TX) on Friday, Sept. 13th at the Rawlings Soccer Complex on the campus of CSU-Pueblo. Kickoff is at 7pm.
