HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (March 26, 2016) - Colorado State University-Pueblo men's lacrosse wrapped up its four game road trip in record fashion, as the Pack stormed University of Alabama-Huntsville, 18-8. The 18 goals set a new program record for the Pack (2-5) as they earned their second win.
Nick Matzek (R-So. Tustin, Calif.) propelled the Pack to victory with seven points. Matzek scored four goals and chipped in three assists as he matched the ThunderWolves record for points in a game.
Kelton Himmelberg (Jr., Centennial, Colo.) netted a hat trick. Himmelberg added two helpers to finish with a season-best five points.
Jamil Modaffari (Sr., Penn Yan, N.Y.) collected a hat trick of his own. Modaffari contributed an assist to finish with four points.
CSU-Pueblo forced 30 Charger turnovers. The Pack held a 37-20 edge in ground balls.
Exactly five minutes into the game, the Pack struck first. Matzek found Modaffari, who blasted in his first of the game.
The Chargers took the lead after scoring the game's next two goals. This would be their only lead of the game.
Weston Bartgis (Fr., El Cajon, Calif.) got the equalizer with 1:30 left in the first quarter. The freshman's goal tied the game at two.
With 27 seconds left in the first quarter, the Pack broke the tie. Cody Bolen (So., Castle Rock, Colo) drilled in a Taylor Davis (Fr., Littleton, Colo.) feed to give the Pack the lead for good.
As the first quarter came to a close, Modaffari whipped in his second goal of the game with just one second left on the clock. Modaffari's buzzer-beater spotted the Pack a 4-2 lead after one.
Defense controlled the second quarter as both teams could only muster two goals. Matzek and Joe McDonough (Fr., Jacksonville, N.C.) pocketed the Pack's two goals of the second. CSU-Pueblo held a 6-4 lead at the break.
Ethan Wall (Fr., Olathe, Kan.) put home the first goal of the second half to hand the Pack a 7-4 lead. Wall finished with two goals and an assist in the game.
The Chargers closed within one as they bounced back with two goals. UAH would not get any closer
Up by one, CSU-Pueblo unleashed a scoring barrage, netting the final six goals of the third period. Matzek and Himmelberg scored twice during this run. Wall and Bolen added the other tallies as the Pack held UAH scoreless for the final 8:40 of the third. CSU-Pueblo posted a 13-6 lead after three.
The run continued for the ThunderWolves into the fourth quarter. Himmelberg, Modaffari, and Bolen finished their hat tricks as the Pack completed a 9-0 run that spanned two quarters and 16:50 of game time.
After the Pack's longest run in program history, CSU-Pueblo held a 16-6 lead. The Chargers chipped away at the 10-goal deficit with a pair of tallies that made it 16-8.
With 2:28 left on the clock, the Pack rocketed in two more goals to set a school record. Matzek tallied his fourth. Chris Rogers (So., Centennial, Colo.) put the finishing touches on the win with the Pack's 18th goal. Rogers' goal was his first as he clinched an 18-8 win for CSU-Pueblo.
Preston DeHerrera (Jr., Northglenn, Colo.) caused four turnovers. Caleb Johnson (So., Castle Rock, Colo.) collected five ground balls.
After splitting their four-game spring break road trip, the Pack will return home for a showdown with Notre De Namur University Friday, April 1. Opening faceoff at the Art & Lorraine Gonzales Lacrosse Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
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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.
