COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's soccer team defeated Westminster University 2-1 in the RMAC Tournament Quarterfinal after a second half comeback to advance to the RMAC Semifinals for the second straight season.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final: (4) UCCS 2, (5) WC 1
- Records: UCCS (10-4-5, 5-2-3 RMAC) | WC (8-5-6, 5-2-3 RMAC)
- Location: Mountain Lion Stadium | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions extend their win streak over Westminster University to four games and move their record to 16-9 all-time against the Griffins.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was a slow start for the Mountain Lions Thursday night, as the Griffins dominated time of possession and applied vast amounts of pressure on the UCCS defense. Westminster would break through the cracks in the 25th minute and find themselves up 1-0.
- The Mountain Lion's opportunities didn't come easy in the first half as the Griffins outshot UCCS 6-3 and the score would remain 1-0 going into the second half.
- The Mountain Lions found their stride and responded quickly out of the break as they found the back of the net in the 48th minute after Matteo Moreno Madrid assisted Nic Grotle, who perfectly placed the ball into the lower right of the frame to tie the match 1-1.
- UCCS wasn't done and added another goal swiftly as Peter Chang broke away from the Westminster defense in the 54th minute, getting the ball just passed the diving Griffins goalkeeper, putting the Mountain Lions up 2-1 in the process.
- The Mountain Lions locked in defensively the rest of the match, suffocating the Griffins attack. The defensive effort and second half comeback was completed as the horn sounded in the 90th minute with UCCS up 2-1.
GAME STATISTICS
- Despite the victory, Westminster outshot UCCS 14-8, had more shots on goal (9-6), and had more corner kicks (6-2).
- Grotle's 48th minute goal was his second of the year and Chang's 54th minute goal was his sixth of the year. Moreno Madrid's assist to Grotle was his third on the season.
- Chang and Kolby Raineri each attempted two shots tonight while Marvin Putu, Moreno Madrid, Dani Barajas, and Grotle all notched one shot attempt.
- Soren Russell recorded six saves in tonight's match. There were two team saves logged by the Mountain Lions as well.
- Tonight's tournament match was a chippy one, as there were six total cards handed out.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Raineri's two shot attempts in tonight's match makes him the all-time leader in shots attempted in program history.
- Tonight's win marks the second consecutive year the Mountain Lions have advanced to the RMAC Semifinals.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions head to Durango, Colo. next to take on the No. 1 seed and No. 12 nationally ranked Fort Lewis College Skyhawks on Sunday, Nov. 5th at 5 p.m. at Dirks Field.
SOCIAL
Twitter - @GoMountainLions
Instagram - @gomountainlions
Facebook – Go Mountain Lions
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.