ALAMOSA, Colo. (April 19, 2016) – In a matchup of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference rivals, Colorado State University-Pueblo men's lacrosse could not get its offense on track against Adams State University's goaltending, losing to the Grizzlies by a 10-4 final.
The loss keeps the Pack winless in conference play as they fell to 3-8 (0-5 RMAC). Adams State improved to 3-7 (2-3 RMAC)
A goaltending and defensive battle broke out in the first half. The two teams could only muster four goals as Adams State held a 3-1 lead after 30 minutes.
Nick Richards (So., Henderson, Nev.) made seven saves on 10 shots as he kept Adams State at bay in the first half. However, his counterpart, Connor Johnson stopped nine of the 10 Pack shots he faced.
Kelton Himmelberg (Jr., Centennial Colo.,) scored the Pack's only goal of the first half. Himmelberg's strike with 13:37 ended a 16 minute scoring drought for the Pack.
The Grizzlies got the first three goals of the second half as they staked themselves to a 6-1 lead. CSU-Pueblo answered as Himmelberg rocketed in a feed from Taylor Davis (Fr., Littleton, Colo.) to give the Pack its first goal of the second half. Himmelberg now has 14 goals on the season.
With three minutes left in the third, the Pack trimmed the Grizzlies lead even more. Blake Foerster (So., Centennial, Colo.) fired in his 11th goal of the season to make it 6-3 after three quarters of play. Cody Bolen (So., Castle Rock, Colo.) had an assist on Foerster's goal that brought the Pack within three distance entering the fourth.
After Adams State put in the first goal of the fourth quarter, the Pack answered with a goal if its own. Senior, Jamil Modaffari (Penn Yan, N.Y.) rifled in his 20th goal of the season. Modaffari's tally made it 7-4.
However, Modaffari's goal would be the Pack's last. The Grizzlies ended the game on a 3-0 run to close out a 10-4 win.
The Pack had more shots on goal, holdi9ng a 23-19 advantage, but Johnson made things difficilut for the CSU-Pueblo offense. Johnson finished the game with 18 saves on 22 Pack shots. His .826 save percentage in the game stands 10 percent better than any of the Pack's previous 10 opponents this season.
Richards finished with nine saves on 19 shots. His record fell to 2-5 on the season.
Preston DeHerrera (Jr., Northglenn, Colo.) grabbed three ground balls in the loss. DeHerrera caused a turnover. All seven of the Pack's caused turnovers came from different players.
The Pack will continue its three-game road trip with a visit to Colorado Mesa University Friday at 7 p.m. CSU-Pueblo will play its final road game of the season Sunday when they travel to Salt Lake City, Utah to play Westminster College at 3 p.m.
The ThunderWolves will conclude their regular season with rematch against the Grizzlies in Pueblo, April 30. CSU-Pueblo and Adams State will begin play at 3 p.m. at Art & Lorraine Gonzales Stadium in the Pack's regular season finale.
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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.
