PUEBLO, Colo. – In a battle between two nationally ranked Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foes, No. 8 Colorado State University Pueblo Men's Soccer settled for a 1-1 draw against No. 24 Regis University Friday evening at Art & Lorraine Gonzales Stadium.
The ThunderWolves (7-0-2, 1-0-2 RMAC) remained unbeaten through their first nine matches of the season, while Regis moved to 4-2-3 overall and 2-0-1 in conference play.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, the action picked up in the second half as both sides searched for the opening goal.
Regis generated a pair of early chances after halftime, but Pack goalkeeper Esteban Gonzalez kept the Rangers off the board with saves in the 52nd and 53rd minutes.
CSU Pueblo broke through in the 60th minute behind Matty Parkes. Nick Cenek started the scoring sequence with an attempt that struck the left post before Parkes finished the opportunity to put the ThunderWolves ahead 1-0 at the 59:25 mark. The goal was Parkes' second of the season, while Cenek was credited with the assist.
The Pack defense protected the one-goal advantage deep into the second half. Gonzalez came up with another stop in the 86th minute, turning away an attempt from Jacobo Betancourt-Tovar as Regis increased its pressure late.
The Rangers eventually found the equalizer with just over three minutes remaining. Jan Grillitsch scored his first goal of the season at 86:55 off an assist from Abram Wilson, leveling the match at 1-1.
CSU Pueblo had one final opportunity to regain the lead when Juan Pablo Orozco Soto fired a shot in the 90th minute, but the attempt went wide and the two nationally ranked sides finished even.
Regis held a 9-6 advantage in total shots and placed five attempts on frame compared to two for the ThunderWolves. Gonzalez finished with four saves across the full 90 minutes, including three in the second half. Parkes led CSU Pueblo with two shots, both on goal, while Cenek added two attempts and the assist.
The Pack finished with two corner kicks compared to eight for the Rangers. CSU Pueblo committed 11 fouls, while Regis was whistled for 10.
Up Next
The ThunderWolves continue their four-match homestand Sunday, Oct. 4, when they battle South Dakota Mines in RMAC action. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Art & Lorraine Gonzales Stadium.
