Mountain Lions beat Rangers in closing seconds.
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (6-5, 5-2 RMAC) got a huge win on the road Friday defeating the Regis Rangers (8-5-2, 2-3-2) 2-1 in Denver.
Jared Blackney scored both goals for CU-Colorado Springs giving him a team-high eight for the year. Blackney got game-winning goal with just 35 seconds remaining in regulation after Ranger goalkeeper Mike Montgomery was carded for smothering a loose ball outside the box.
Having been whistled for a penalty, Montgomery quickly set up his defensive wall to defend against the free kick. Blackney, though, noiticed a weakness in the setup, since a corner of the goal was left exposed.
“I just punched it into the corner," said Blackney. "It was great position for me because (Montgomery) really couldnâ€TMt see the ball until it was too late.â€
The Mountain Lions fell behind early in the match when Lance Snodgrass netted his 13th goal of the year just 4:52 into the match. Guillermo Mazier got the assist after getting a free kick in play quickly.
“They grabbed the ball before we could reposition ourselves," said Blackney. "After that it was a footrace."
The Mountain Lions didn't panic, especially since they had beaten Regis after falling behind in their first meeting on Sept. 12. CU-Colorado Springsâ€TM defense limited the Rangers to just two shots on goal from that point on.
“We were still composed," said Blackney. "We had been creating chances for ourselves, too. We had a never-say-die attitude. There were guys saying weâ€TMre going to win this game at halftime."
Their confidence was rewarded 20 minutes into the second half. Blackney off an outstanding Brandon Best assist to tie the game 1-1.
"Two defenders stepped to (Best) and he played a great ball right down the middle," said Blackney. "He played it right to my feet and I had the goalie 1-oon-1. I touched it once and played it to the corner."
It was the first time all season that Regis had been beaten at home. The Rangers had been 6-0-1 and had outscored their opponents 24-4 in games played at Regis Field.
CU-Colorado Springs has now won six of its last seven games against Division II competition.
UCCS Players/Staff Featured | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Jared Blackney | 11 | Forward | Senior |
| Jared Blackney | 11 | Forward | Senior |
| Additional News Stories | |||
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| November 11, 2003 |  | Mazzetti named co-coach of the year | University of Colorado at Colorado Springs soccer coach Flavio Mazzetti finished his rookie season by being named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference co-coach of the year. Mazzetti shared the honor with Fort Lewis’ Jeremy Gunn. |
| November 7, 2003 | Fort Lewis gorilla won't let Lions go | That’s not a monkey clinging to the back of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs soccer program - it’s a gorilla. | |
| November 2, 2003 | Metro State tops Lions; advances to playoffs | Two second-half goals propelled the Metro State Roadrunners to a 2-1 victory over the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Mountain Lions Sunday and into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference playoffs. | |
| October 31, 2003 | Overtime win gives Lions a share of the lead | The top of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference soccer standings is a strange, and confusing, place to be. | |
| October 28, 2003 |  | Backup goalie shuts out Mines | Despite playing most of the second half a man down, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Mountain Lions (9-6-0, 7-3-0 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) held on for a 1-0 victory over the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers (7-10-1, 7-3-0) Tuesday at Sand Creek Stadium. |
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