COLORADO SPRINGS - Michael Flynn's first career goal proved to be the game-winner as the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs defeated the Mesa State Mavericks 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Mountain Lion Stadium.

It was, to say the least, an unusual goal. Ryan Piechowski managed to split a pair of Mesa State defenders before sending a through pass to Flynn, who was running step-for-step with another defender. Flynn reached out and got a toe, maybe even just a toenail, on the ball, redirecting it rolling toward the far post. The ball looked to be in slow-motion like the climactic scene of a sports movie, but had just enough speed to cross the goal line.

"The thing we've been talking about for a while is keep it on frame; you never know what's going to happen," said UCCS coach Henry Ellis. "He kept it on frame and, wow, how did that make it in? Who cares? It's in the back of the net and it's a W for us.

"We got smiled upon today for senior day."

UCCS honored four graduating seniors before the game. Dan Smith, Greg Miley, Dami Oladiran and Garrett Maloney are all playing their finals season as a Mountain Lion. He emphasized that each of their respective contributions could not be overstated.

"Coming in and trying to change things around to get more positive results, the guys that stuck around are the guys who wanted to get things done," said Ellis, who's in his second year at UCCS. (Smith), especially, absolutely kills it every day in training. He brings it every day and has the best attitude even though he doesn't get a lot of playing time. But he understands the transition that we're going through and the quality of the players that we're bringing in."

UCCS goalkeeper Adam Liszewski made the score, which happened at the 78:57 mark, hold up and UCCS improved to 8-10-1 overall and 5-8-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Liszewski finished with four saves.

After a scoreless first half, The Mountain Lions struck first. In the 58th minute, Matt Friesen fought off three defenders to gain control of the ball just above the penalty area and managed to center it with a swipe off the side of his foot. Riley Gallagher, who was charging straight upfield, one-timed it into the upper left corner.

It was Friesen's fifth assist of the season, tying him for fifth-best assist total in a season at UCCS.

The celebration didn't last long. Less than two minutes after Gallagher's goal, Mesa State's Tyler Amerman sidewheeled in a bouncer off a throw in.

Josh Tinaglia made four saves in a scoreless first half before yielding to Bill Martinez, who added three saves, in the second. Tinaglia switched jerseys and played forward in the second hal for Mesa State (2-15-1, 2-11-1 RMAC).

Although the original schedule indicates that the season is over, the Mountain Lions still have one match remaining. After both teams were eliminated from playoff contention, UCCS and Colorado State-Pueblo agreed to play one more match on Nov. 8.