Box Score PUEBLO, Colo. (November 4, 2021) - Colorado State University Pueblo men's soccer, the four-seed in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament defeated 5-seeded MSU Denver 5-2, behind a hat trick performance by Carlos Espinoza (Sr., Simi Valley, Calif.) Thursday in a Quarterfinal match at Art & Lorraine Gonzales Stadium.

CSU Pueblo got its goals from Espnioza, Josua Hall (So., Baiersbronn, Germany) and Fernando Herrera (So., Quertaro, Mexico). It is Espinoza's first career hat trick.

With the win, the ThunderWolves have secured their second most wins in program history with games still to be played.

"The crowd tonight was unbelievable and it meant so much for the lads to see their other athletes out there supporting them," said CSU Pueblo Head Coach Oliver Twelvetrees. "They were the 12th man (tonight)."

In the match, the Pack tallied 22 shots and 14 going on goal and the defense held the Roadrunners to ten shots in the game and seven on frame.

Playing to a scoreless tie in the first half, where the ThunderWolves totaled ten shots and were led by Vinzent Zingel (So., Aachen, Germany) and his three shots and two landing on goal.

In the second CSU Pueblo dominated offensively and earned a free kick during the 63rd minute that Zingel took from about 40 yards and served it high above the defense, allowing Espinoza to get a head on the ball and into the net for the 1-nil lead.

The match continued to be phsyical and MSU Denver was able to find the net off a free kick during the 74th minute, tying the game at 1-1 with about fifteen minutes left in regulation.

After MSU Denver scored, the Pack offense kept the pressure on the Roadrunners and would score the go-ahead goal in the 82nd minute when Hall took the ball himself and gathered at the top of the box and fired a shot inside the left post for the 2-1 lead.

Espinoza added goal number two less than three minutes later when RMAC Co-Freshman of the Year Lamar Bynum (Fr., Albuquerque, NM) dished in a ball right to Espinoza who hit a one-timer with his strong right leg and gave the Pack some cushion.

Two minutes had lapsed before the ThunderWolves found possession again just on the Roadrunners side of the pitch and Herrera was able to hit the back of the net, scoring his first goal of the season.

Espinoza added his third goal of the match in the 87th minute, taking the ball one-v-one with his defender and hitting a ball inside the post and past a diving goalkeeper.

"This is my first hat trick in my whole career. Couldn't have been any better," said Espinoza. "We aren't done yet though. We stay positive and look forward for Sunday's match."

MSU Denver would add a goal in the final minutes and brought the score to 5-2 in favor of the ThunderWolves.

Pack goalkeeper Garret Wild (Jr., Brownsville, Tex.) made five saves and allowed two goals to MSU Denver.

"So proud of our effort tonight," said Twelvetrees. "We battled and showed our character after their equalizer. Carlos E. was nothing short of first class, he worked so hard and earned this moment."

Twelvetrees added, "We are excited for our third game versus Mines on Sunday with a chance to make the final."

CSU Pueblo (13-4-2) goes on the road and next play Sunday at top-seed Mines in the RMAC Tournament Semifinal round at Mines' Stermole Stadium in Golden.