Reynolds scores twice to help end skid

Marcus Reynolds scored twice and Chris Hovasse got his third shutout of the season as the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs defeated the Colorado Christian Cougars Friday afternoon at Sand Creek Stadium.

It was the third time this season that Reynolds, who leads the Mountain Lions with seven goals and 17 points, has scored two goals in a match. The sophomore from Liberty High School in Colorado Springs also scored twice in UCCSâ€^TM first meeting with Colorado Christian on Sept. 9 and against Westminster on Oct. 1.

Reynolds had a couple of chances to notch UCCSâ€^TM first hat trick since Rob Weber did it on Oct. 29, 1999.

“I donâ€^TMt feel too bad about it â€" we got the win,” said Reynolds. “I was trying my hardest. I had a few chances but it just didnâ€^TMt come.”

Hovasse, a senior from Lewis-Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, made three saves in notching the shutout. His other shutouts came against Colorado Christian on Sept. 9 and against Colorado School of Mines on Sept. 11. The Mountain Lions will finish their season against Mines on Sunday.

“The defense played organized today,” said Hovasse. “We didnâ€^TMt let them pressure us too much on top and we did a great job of organizing ourselves out of the back.”

Despite the win, UCCS will not be going to the RMAC playoffs in Durango next weekend. The Mountain Lions were mathematically eliminated when Regis beat Metro State on Wednesday.

“That was a huge disappointment,” Hovasse said of the news of Regisâ€^TM win. “We had our opportunities to get into the playoffs and we lost those.”

Colorado Christian (0-14, 0-11 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) has now been outscored 68-2 this season.

The win ended a five-match losing streak for UCCS (6-9-1, 4-6-1 RMAC).

The Mountain Lions scored the first halfâ€^TMs only goal in the 27th minute when James McMonigle was fouled hard by Colorado Christian goalkeeper A.J. Kurtz (0-14) in the penalty area. UCCSâ€^TM Eric Foulk converted the penalty kick.

UCCS coach Flavio Mazzetti opened the second half by moving Reynolds, who had played defender in the first half, to the forward spot. The energy at the offensive end improved immediately.

“Coach told me Iâ€^TMd be going up top to give us some help if we needed it,” said Reynolds. “I worked as hard as I could.”

Reynoldsâ€^TM work paid off the 59th minute when he gathered a pass near the top of the penalty area, split a double team and drilled a shot past Kurtz.

The final score came in the 65th minute when freshman Jeff Bettner sent a short, well-aimed crossing pass to Reynolds, who had beaten his defender by a step.

UCCS outshot the Cougars 35-9.