SAN ANTONIO, Tex. (November 17, 2022) - No. 9 Colorado State University Pueblo men's soccer continued its Cinderella season and advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history after posting a 2-1 win at No. 5 St. Mary's on Thursday.

"So proud of everyone's performance today," said Pack Head Coach Oliver Twelvetrees. "St. Mary's is a top team and we battled together to earn the win."

The ThunderWolves received scores from Caio Oliveira and Gabriel Campora, one in each half.

"Caio and Gabo scored great goals but it was a fantastic team effort from back to front. We denied them clear cut chances and defended so well. Making good decisions all over the park. We are so excited to advance to the Elite 8."

In the game, CSU Pueblo totaled nine shots and had three land on frame. The ThunderWolves earned two corners.

The ThunderWolves were the first to get on the board during the 29th minute when Oliveira received a pass from Ignatius Demark and hit a shot low and into the lower third of the net for the 1-0 lead.

St. Mary's  responded and scored off a free kick in the 38th minute. 

The teams went into the locker room tied at 1-1. The Pack had three shots recorded in the first 45 minutes of action.

In the second half, both teams battled and was an evenly played match and the ThunderWolves picked up their intensity at midfield and controlled possession in the attacking zone.

CSU Pueblo continued to pressure the ball and was rewarded in the 62nd minute when Reggie Nicolas caused a turnover near midfield and drove the ball towards the 18-yard box. The Rattlers defender tried to clear the ball but Nicolas was in the right spot and the ball deflected off his back and Campora, who had been trailing the play, found possession and hit a strike into the upper third of the net and give the ThunderWolves a 2-1 lead.

Over the last 28 minutes, the ThunderWolves back line and Pack goalkeeper Nils Roth played exceptional soccer and prevented the equalizer from scoring.

Roth finished with four saves against 11 shots from St. Mary's.

CSU Pueblo advances to the Regional Final and will play 8-seed Northwest Nazarene on Saturday starting at 5 p.m. (MT) in San Antonio.

The teams met earlier this season on a neutral pitch in Billings, Montana. The ThunderWolves came away with a 6-nil win behind a four-goal performance by Campora.