In the first head-to head matchup in the 2010-11 Steel and Silver Series, the all-sports competition as well as best overall grade point average between rivals University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and Colorado State-Pueblo, the Mountain Lions were defeated by the Thunderwolves 1-0 on Wednesday at Mountain Lion Stadium.

"Our big thing was just to keep the ball on frame because we knew it was slick and wet, said UCCS coach Henry Ellis. "We weren't able to do that today and the couple opportunities we had, we didn't take advantage of."

While UCCS outshot CSUP 27-8, Thunderwolves goal keeper, Jacob Blum, only had to make four saves.

The lone goal of the game came from Thunderwolves Brandon Herre off of a cross from teammate Jamie Prakhine in the 11th minute of the match. Prakhine passed it from the left side of the field and found the head of Herre, who knocked it in.

The inclement weather did not help either team. It took both teams a while to find their footing and control the ball.

"In the beginning we came out and didn't really anticipate the skip of the ball on the field with the rain coming down," said Ellis, "so we had a lot of balls we just hit a little too far and we couldn't get onto them. It just took us a little while to find our rhythm."

Since this was a huge rival game, UCCS students set up and partook in the second annual March, which helped contribute to the season-high attendance of 733. The March began on campus where t-shirts were handed out and ended at Mountain Lion Stadium where students could indulge in free food and show their school spirit.

The UCCS Mountain Lions return to the field for battle again on Friday to take on the Mesa State Mavericks.