PUEBLO, Colo. (November 13, 2024) - For the third year in a row, Colorado State University Pueblo men's soccer team has advanced to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament Championship after posting a 2-1 win over No. 3 UCCS in a RMAC Tournament Semifinal on Wednesday at Art & Lorraine Gonzales Stadium.
With the victory, CSU Pueblo advance to the RMAC Tournament Final on Saturday and will take on Fort Lewis College Skyhawks starting at 7 p.m. at Gonzales Stadium. The 3-seed Skyhawks defeated No. 2 seed Regis 3-0 in Denver.
Senior midfielder
Caio Oliveira (Espigao d'Oeste, Brazil) accounted for both of the ThunderWolves goals in the first half.
Tobi Osifodunrin (Sr,. Brighton, Colo.) and
Jose Bustamante (Jr., Davie, Fla.) were credited with an assist on the play.
"What a night here at ALG. Fantastic performance from the whole group," said Pack Head Coach
Oliver Twelvetrees. "We were on it from the first whistle and scored a great team goal made by Tobi and Jose finished by Caio."
Twelvetrees added, "We also showed heart and determination to survive the inevitable onslaught from UCCS who are a top team. Excited for a rematch of last year's final!"
Tonight is the third match-up between CSU Pueblo and UCCS and the first win for hte ThunderWolves. In the first two outings, UCCS won a nonconference match in September and the Pack scored a 1-1 draw in the regular season finale.
In the match, CSU Pueblo out shot UCCS 14-10 and had seven shots land on frame. Oliveira led all players with five shots including three SOG.
The ThunderWolves struck first in the 8th minute after the ThunderWolves drove the ball down the nearside of the pitch and great footwork with the ball by Osifodunrin which allowed him to create enough space for a cross pass into the box and Bustamante found an open Oliveira at the top of the box and he hit a one-timer into the back of the net for the early 1-0 lead.
Carrying the 1-nil lead, the Pack defense stepped up and the played suffocating defense against the Mountain Lions. Strong play at midfield by Oliveira, along with
Joey Joiner (Sr., Westminster, Colo.) and
Luke Smith (Sr., Bolton, England) helped to frustrate the Mountain Lions offensive attack.
CSU Pueblo added another goal in the 35' after UCCS was called for a foul inside the penalty box and Oliveira stepped in and hit the back of the net for his 9th goal of the season. He is now 5-of-6 this season in PKs.
In the first half, the ThunderWolves recorded nine shots against three by UCCS. The Pack recorded three corners in the first half and limited UCCS to two first half corner kicks.
At the net,
Ruben Volkert (Gr., Baden-Württemberg, Germany) had a solid game for the Pack and made two saves and faced three SOG and 10 total shots.
In the second period, UCCS recorded the first four shots of the half before CSU Pueblo earned its third corner of the game.
The Pack defense stepped up the intensity after UCCS continued to possess the ball and earned a SOG in the 70' and was saved by Volkert.
Starting in the 71st minute, the ThunderWolves recorded a flurry of shots including four SOG, one each from
Alon Firdman (Sr., Barcelona, Spain), Osifodunrin, Oliveira and Bustamante.
The ThunderWolves' back line continued to clear out any loose ball inside the attacking zone and the Mountain Lions next best scoring chance came with under ten minutes left in regulation and the shot was saved by Volkert.
UCCS found pay dirt with under 90 seconds left on the clock and the Pack buckled down after the score and did not allow another shot attempt.
The Pack finished with seven SOG against just three from UCCS.
Up next
CSU Pueblo (13-3-3) remains at home and will host the RMAC Tournament Final on Saturday.
