DENVER, Colo. (Oct. 16, 2026) – The No. 6 nationally ranked Colorado State University Pueblo men's soccer team continued its unbeaten season Friday evening, earning a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Metropolitan State University of Denver in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) action at The Assembly Athletic Complex.
The ThunderWolves (11-0-2, 5-0-2 RMAC) received goals from Matty Parkes and Nick Cenek, while goalkeeper Esteban Gonzalez recorded three saves to help the Pack secure another important conference road victory.
With the win, CSU Pueblo extended its unbeaten streak to 13 matches to open the season, while MSU Denver fell to 5-5-3 overall and 2-4-0 in conference play.
"Another huge team win! MSU Denver is a top side and they needed to collect points and hence presented a lot of challenges," CSU Pueblo head coach Thomás Pazo Tourinho said. "Without the ball, they were very difficult to figure out and we were also tested to the max on set pieces. In the end we showed grit and character to grind out another road win. I'm super proud of the guys for their effort. Go Pack!"
The ThunderWolves controlled much of the opening half, outshooting the Roadrunners 6-1 while putting four attempts on frame.
CSU Pueblo generated its first scoring opportunity in the seventh minute when Archi-Blue Rodway fired a shot on goal that was turned away by MSU Denver goalkeeper Dominic Miller.
The Pack eventually broke through in the 29th minute when Parkes found the back of the net at the 28:39 mark to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage. Pedro Martínez Castro was credited with the assist on Parkes' fifth goal of the season.
CSU Pueblo continued applying offensive pressure following the opening goal, including a shot on target from Juan Pablo Orozco Soto in the 33rd minute and another attempt from Silvio Termini in the 40th minute. Both opportunities were stopped by Miller, allowing the Roadrunners to keep the deficit at one heading into halftime.
The ThunderWolves wasted little time doubling their advantage following the intermission.
Just 2:56 into the second half, Cenek scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season at the 47:56 mark to extend CSU Pueblo's lead to 2-0. The goal, which was unassisted, would ultimately stand as the game-winner.
Trailing by two goals, MSU Denver increased its offensive pressure throughout the second half, recording seven shots after managing just one attempt during the opening 45 minutes.
The Roadrunners eventually broke through in the 76th minute when Henry Knoll scored his second goal of the season at the 75:26 mark off an assist from Colin McKenna, cutting the ThunderWolves' lead to 2-1.
Despite the late push from MSU Denver, the ThunderWolves remained composed defensively and held off the Roadrunners over the final 15 minutes to preserve the one-goal victory.
Gonzalez played an important role in the defensive effort, making all three of his saves in the second half to help CSU Pueblo maintain its advantage.
For the match, CSU Pueblo held a narrow 9-8 advantage in total shots, including a 6-4 edge in shots on goal. Cenek led the ThunderWolves with three shot attempts, while João Lutz added two. Parkes, Rodway, Orozco Soto and Termini each registered one shot on goal.
MSU Denver held a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks, with four of those opportunities coming in the second half.
Gonzalez played all 90 minutes between the posts for the ThunderWolves, finishing with three saves and allowing just one goal. Miller recorded four saves in the loss for the Roadrunners.
Friday's victory comes on the heels of CSU Pueblo's impressive 2-0 shutout of then-No. 14 Fort Lewis last Sunday at home, as the ThunderWolves continue to build momentum during the final stretch of the regular season.
Up Next
CSU Pueblo will look to complete a perfect weekend in the Denver metropolitan area when it returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 18, against against Colorado Christian University. Kickoff is scheduled for 11a.m. at Trailblazer Stadium in Lakewood, Colo.
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