PUEBLO, Colo. (September 7, 2024) - The Colorado State University Pueblo men's soccer team opened the 2024 season with a pair of victories following a 2-0 win on Saturday over Northwest Nazarene at Art & Lorraine Gonzales Stadium.

CSU Pueblo Head Coach was pleased with his team's performance on Saturday and said, "I'm very happy with our performances this weekend. We dominated today, giving them virtually no attacks. We can improve our play in the final third and I'm very confident we will continue to grow and develop as we progress through the season."

Veteran leadership proved the difference maker in the match as Shjon Andrews (Gr., Longmont, Colo.) and Caio Oliveira (Sr., Espigao d'Oeste, Brazil) both scored for the ThunderWolves.

Twelvetrees added, "Our experienced players stepped up today with Shjon and Caio getting the goals we needed. Our midfield of Jack Pascoe (Sr., Barry, Wales) and Luke Smith (Sr., Bolton, England) also had full control in this game which was great to see. Our finishers made a big impact at the end of each half. Great start to the season!"

Oliveira finished a solid opening weekend and registered three goals and an assist in two Pack wins.

In the match, CSU Pueblo registered 17 shots against two from NNU.

Andrews, Tobi Osifodunrin (Jr., Brighton, Colo.) and Tanner Widic (Fr., Colorado Springs, Colo.) each had a couple of good chances at the net but each attempt went wide or was saved by the Nighthawks goalkeeper.

The ThunderWolves got on the board during the 38th minute after earning a corner kick that was taken by corner "specialist" Oliveira who booted in a ball high and above the defense, allowing Andrews to climb over and get a header on the ball that caught the NNU keeper asleep and the ball bounced low inside the net.

The Pack carried the one goal lead into halftime. At the break, CSU Pueblo held a 9-1 shots advantage and had earned four corners.

The ThunderWolves offense continued a strong performance and registered eight shots and five more corners in the second half.

CSU Pueblo had another PK opportunity after Will Boyle (R-So., Fort Collins, Colo.) drove the ball down field and inside the box, before being taken down from behind and earning the penalty.

Oliveira stepped in as cool as a cucumber and hit a laser low and past the diving keeper for the 2-nil lead.

Over the final ten minutes, the Nighthawks increased their intensity and earned three corners but another strong showing at the back line did not allow any real scoring threat.

At the net, Pack goalkeeper Ruben Volkert (Gr., Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) played the first half and made one save. 

Ryan Nun (So., Broomfield, Colo.) was entered at halftime and in the second half stood tall against only one shot and on on goal attempt to preserve the shutout.

Up next, CSU Pueblo (2-0-0) remains at home next week and will host a pair of nonconference matches. On Thursday, the ThunderWolves welcome Dallas Baptist at 7 p.m. and will take on University of Texas at Tyler on Sunday at 1 p.m., both matches at Gonzales Stadium.