GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – No. 13 Colorado State University Pueblo men's soccer erased a second-half deficit behind a penalty-kick goal from Matty Parkes and battled Colorado Mesa to a 1-1 draw Sunday afternoon at Community Hospital Unity Field.
With the result, the ThunderWolves remain unbeaten through their first eight matches of the season and move to 7-0-1 overall and 1-0-1 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.
CSU Pueblo controlled much of the attacking play Sunday, finishing with a commanding 29-14 advantage in shots and putting 10 attempts on goal compared to six for the Mavericks. The Pack also generated nine corner kicks while holding Colorado Mesa to six.
Despite the Pack's pressure, Colorado Mesa (3-1-5, 1-0-1 RMAC) struck first in the 31st minute. Edoardo Oliveri found the back of the net at the 30:08 mark off an assist from Richie Tabares Ochoa to put the Mavericks ahead 1-0.
CSU Pueblo continued to push forward after the break, firing 19 of its 29 shots during the second half.
The pressure finally paid off in the 70th minute when the ThunderWolves were awarded a penalty kick after João Lutz possessed the ball and was fouled inside the box. Parkes stepped to the spot and converted at 69:32 to pull the Pack even at 1-1. It was CSU Pueblo's lone penalty attempt of the match.
From there, the Pack continued searching for the go-ahead goal but could not break through the Colorado Mesa defense. Mavericks goalkeeper Nathan Beck finished the afternoon with nine saves.
Nick Cenek was at the center of the CSU Pueblo attack throughout the match, recording a game-high 13 shots with five on frame. Lutz added five shots, including two on goal, while Logan Cozier registered four attempts and put two on target.
At the opposite end, Esteban Gonzalez played all 90 minutes in goal for the ThunderWolves and made five saves, with all five coming during the second half.
CSU Pueblo finished the afternoon with a 10-6 advantage in shots on goal. The ThunderWolves' 29 total shots were more than double Colorado Mesa's 14 attempts.
Up Next
The ThunderWolves return to Pueblo to begin a four-match homestand on Friday when they welcome Regis to Art & Lorraine Gonzales Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
