Soccer stays unbeaten in RMAC

Jeff Moore scored two goals and Marcus Reynolds had a goal and an assist as the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs soccer team defeated the Colorado State-Pueblo Thunderwolves 4-2 Wednesday evening at Sand Creek Stadium.

The Mountain Lions, who took a 4-0 lead over CSU-Pueblo in the new Steel and Silver Series, improved to 4-2, 3-0 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Reynolds opened the scoring for UCCS in the 24th minute when he took a pass from Matt Lay and drilled it into the upper right hand corner of the goal from 18 yards out.

The Thunderwolves struck back quickly. In the 31st minute CSU-Pueblo took a free kick from 25 yards out that deflected off a couple of UCCS defenders. Mark Thimm managed to collect the ball and send it to Ryan Creager, who slid it past UCCS goalkeeper Chris Hovasse.

“We give up too many sloppy goals,” said UCCS defender Brian Best. “Itâ€^TMs something we need to learn to stop. If we want to go as far as weâ€^TMd like to go, we canâ€^TMt give up that kind of stuff.”

Other than that, though, the UCCS defense was outstanding. The Thunderwolves managed only four shots in the first half and 12 in the game, a few of which were of poor quality after the fell behind and were pressing. Hovasse was obliged to make only three saves, though one was of highlight-reel quality.

“Defensively we were trying to absorb their pressure,” said Best. (We) let them come at us and let them make mistakes.”

Reynolds and Moore executed a nifty give and go in the 38th minute. Mooreâ€^TMs shot barely got by CSU-Pueblo goalkeeper Mike Baker (2-4).

Moore scored again at the 57:11 mark when he headed in a Juan Nolasco cross.

Just 1:27 later, UCCS made it 4-1 when Eric Foulk collected a deflection off a free kick and shuffled it to Jeff Halligan, who scored from 10 yards away.

“We had a free kick on the right side and Eric was taking it,” said Halligan. “I was one-on-one with a guy about my size and I pointed to where I wanted the ball and he put it right there.”

The Thunderwolves (2-4-1) added a goal in the 89th minute when Adam Hart launched a shot through a crowd of players. Hovasse never saw it coming.

The Mountain Lions have now scored 14 goals in six games this season. Last year, they didnâ€^TMt get their 14th goal until Oct. 29 â€" their 16th game.

“Weâ€^TMre possessing the ball better (than last year), thatâ€^TMs for sure,” said Halligan. “Weâ€^TMre definitely being a lot more aggressive in our offensive third.”