PUEBLO, Colo. (Nov. 9, 2026) – For another year, the CSU Pueblo men's soccer team is heading to the NCAA Division II Tournament, and the ThunderWolves will begin their national postseason journey on their home turf.
Following one of the most impressive regular-season campaigns in program history, CSU Pueblo learned its postseason fate Monday afternoon during the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Selection Show, earning the No. 3 seed in Super Region 4 and the right to host a second-round matchup against sixth-seeded Cal State San Bernardino on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m. at Art & Lorraine Gonzales Stadium.
The selection marks another NCAA Tournament appearance for the ThunderWolves, who have established themselves as one of the nation's premier Division II programs in recent years.
Under first-year head coach Thomás Pazo Tourinho, the Pack put together a remarkable 2026 campaign, navigating the regular season without a loss and establishing itself as a national contender.
CSU Pueblo concluded the regular season with an unbeaten 13-0-3 overall record, including a 7-0-3 mark in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play. The ThunderWolves were one of the nation's final remaining unbeaten teams and climbed as high as No. 2 in the United Soccer Coaches Division II National Poll.
The Pack also held the No. 2 position in the NCAA Super Region 4 Numerical Performance Indicator (NPI) rankings late in the regular season, further solidifying its standing among the nation's elite programs.
Despite suffering its first defeat of the season in a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime loss to Fort Lewis in the RMAC Tournament semifinals on Nov. 4 at Gonzales Stadium, the ThunderWolves' impressive body of work throughout the season was enough to secure a top-three seed and home-field advantage to open NCAA Tournament play.
The 2026 season has been particularly impressive considering the transition under Pazo Tourinho, who took over the program in April and quickly guided the ThunderWolves to national prominence in his debut season at the helm.
CSU Pueblo's success has been fueled by a balanced attack, timely defensive performances and contributions throughout its lineup.
Leading the offensive charge has been junior forward Nick Cenek, who emerged as one of the RMAC's most dangerous scoring threats this season. Cenek led the conference in goals and points during the regular-season stretch while delivering several pivotal performances, including multiple two-goal outings.
The ThunderWolves have also received significant offensive contributions from Matty Parkes, João Lutz, Brandon Sanchez and Juan Pablo Orozco Soto, each playing an important role in the Pack's high-powered attack.
Orozco Soto provided one of the season's most memorable moments with a spectacular bicycle-kick goal against South Dakota Mines on Oct. 4, a highlight that earned the No. 2 spot on ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays.
On the defensive side, senior goalkeeper Esteban Gonzalez has anchored the ThunderWolves between the posts, earning four RMAC Goalkeeper of the Week honors during the season. His presence, along with the defensive contributions of Silvio Termini, Jamal Bynum, Pedro Martínez Castro and José Peris Gimeno, helped the Pack establish itself as one of the region's toughest teams to break down.
The ThunderWolves' road to the national championship will run through Super Region 4, widely regarded as one of the most competitive regions in Division II men's soccer. The region features programs from the RMAC, Lone Star Conference, California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), Pacific West Conference and Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC).
Sunday's matchup against Cal State San Bernardino will provide another significant postseason test as the ThunderWolves look to extend their season and continue their pursuit of a national championship.
With NCAA Tournament soccer returning to Gonzales Stadium, CSU Pueblo will look to take advantage of its home-field atmosphere and the support of PACK Nation as the ThunderWolves begin their postseason run.
Kickoff between No. 3 CSU Pueblo and No. 6 Cal State San Bernardino is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m. at Art & Lorraine Gonzales Stadium in Pueblo.
Ticket Information
Tickets for Sunday's matchup will be available at the following prices:
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