HAYS, Kan. – The Colorado State University-Pueblo men's soccer team opened their 2014 regular season Friday night against a tough Fort Hays University team, falling 2-1 in Hays, Kansas.
The Pack came out strong with four shots in the first 20 minutes of play, leading to two corner kicks in the half. The Tigers also had their fair share of shots as they gathered ten in the first half.
Battling toe-to-toe in a scoreless game late in the first half, CSU-Pueblo was called for a foul, resulting in a yellow card and penalty kick for the Tigers, in which they capitalized on the opportunity, taking a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Head Coach Roy Stanley said he believed his guys "showed improvements on the things we stressed in the preseason, we played as a team, and we built out of the backfield in a safe manner."
"The guys played well under circumstances as far as not letting up in the second half and were well organized as a unit."
The second half seen the Pack keep up the intensity level and it paid off in the 66th minute Jack Gonzales connected on a free kick from 30 yards out, tying the game at one.
Redshirt-Junior goalie Sam Haseltine started at goal for the ThunderWolves, making nine saves in the game for the Pack.
Fort Hays offense never let up as they controlled possession for most of the final ten minutes of play, taking the lead in the 83rd minute on a header that went right beyond the reach of Haseltine, giving the Tigers the lead for good.
"Our guys played well through the adversity and having playing against a team with a great deal of talent, the numbers were even throughout," Stanley said.
CSU-Pueblo (0-1) will next play Sunday against Lubbock Christian, the game is scheduled for a 10 a.m. start also in Hays, Kansas.
