PUEBLO, Colo. (October 4, 2019) - The Colorado State University-Pueblo men's soccer team built a two-goal lead in the second half against Steel and Silver rival-UCCS Friday thanks to two goals by
Carlos Espinoza (Jr., Simi Valley, Calif.), before the visiting team erupted for three scores in under a twenty-minute span and came away with a 3-2, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference win at Art & Lorraine Gonzales Stadium.
In front of a large crowd at the pitch, Espinoza put the ThunderWolves on top in the 15' as he took a free kick from twenty yards away from goal and sailed a shot high and under the crossbar for the early lead.
Starting the match, UCCS was first to the ball for the first eight minutes before the Pack and its midfield settled and gained control.
After the Espinoza goal, the Pack played with more energy and the defense stepped up and made several key drive stops by UCCS. The ThunderWolves backline along with the play at midfield by
Richard Panknin (Jr., Sassnitz, Germany) helped keep the score unchanged heading into halftime.
At intermission the ThunderWolves had outshot the Mountain Lions, 7-5 and had posted six corner kicks against just two by the Mountain Lions.
In the second period, swift passing by the Pack inside the Mountain Lions 18-yard box, resulted in a penalty kick awarded to the Pack. Espinoza stepped up and connected his second score of the match and booted the ball low and beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.
The Mountain Lions scored their first goal in the 65' on a play that got past the Pack defense.
Fifteen minutes had passed and the visitors found possession in ThunderWolves' territory and would score back-to-back goals in just under a one-minute span in the 80' and 81' and silence the crowd, taking a one score lead.
Over the final ten minutes, the Pack kept the pressure and would manage four more shot attempts that was unable to find the goal.
Espinoza and
Josua Hall (Fr., Baiersbronn, Germany) each finished with four shots.
Pack goalkeeper
Tyler Harvey (Sr., Henderson, Nev.) allowed three goals, making three saves on 12 UCCS shots.
CSU-Pueblo (2-7-0, 2-3-0 RMAC) will wrap the weekend Sunday against Regis in another RMAC clash at Gonzales Stadium. Kickoff against the Rangers is slated for 2:30 p.m. following the women's game versus New Mexico Highlands.
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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.
