COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 4, 2015) – The sixth-seeded Colorado State University-Pueblo men's soccer team picked up its first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament win since 2004 Wednesday defeating third-seeded University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1-0 at Mountain Lion Stadium.
The ThunderWolves struck with the first and only score of the game in the 39th minute on a beautifully passed ball from Sergio Rizo (Jr., Mid., Buckeye, Ariz.) into the middle of the box to a trailing Mackenzie Paquette (Jr., D, Phoenix, Ariz.) who headed the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper and one goal lead.
Playing in a brisk breeze at the pitch, the teams battled from the onset as the Mountain Lions fired five quick shots, earning three corner kicks in the opening ten minutes of play.
CSU-Pueblo played arguably its best defensive half of the season, fending off fifteen shots from UCCS.
The Pack took the 1-nil lead at the break trailing 5-2 in shots on goal.
Entering the second half, the ThunderWolves energy increased, firing four shots in the half led by Matt Marchena (Sr., F, Littleton, Colo.) with two in the game.
Pack goalkeeper Sam Haseltine (Sr., St. Louis, Mo.) again was a brick wall at goal, making seven saves on twenty-two Mountain Lion shots.
The last time the Pack won a conference tournament match was Nov. 5, 2004 in a 1-0 decision versus No. 8 ranked Fort Lewis College.
CSU-Pueblo (11-8) advance in the tournament and play Friday at 6:30 p.m. against two-seeded Colorado Mesa University in the semifinals on the campus of top seeded Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo.
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
