COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The No. 5 nationally ranked University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's soccer team surrendered an 89
th minute goal on Sunday afternoon, resulting in a 2-2 draw against the visiting Regis University Rangers.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: UCCS 2, REGIS 2
Records: UCCS (13-1-3, 6-1-2 RMAC), REGIS (7-2-8, 6-0-3 RMAC)
Facility: Mountain Lion Stadium | Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions move to 20-41-9 all-time against the Rangers. Under current head coach
Lewis Wilcox, UCCS is now 4-0-1 against Regis
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first 15 minutes of Sunday's match saw Regis find some strong opportunities at the net as they recorded a total of four shots with two of them being saved by UCCS goalkeeper Soren Russell. After weathering the early pressure from the Rangers, UCCS was granted a free kick from just outside the top of the 18-yard box in the 19th minute which was taken and converted by redshirt senior Dani Barajas with a bending strike into the top right corner of the frame.
- The Rangers found an equalizer in the 35th minute when Jan Grillitsch and Jacobo Betancourt-Tovar connected on subsequent passes to get the ball inside the box to Liam Corr, who got a foot on it and sent it into the nylon past a diving Russell to even the match at one goal apiece.
- The score would not remain tied for long, however, as the Mountain Lions went back on the attack and managed to find the net in the 42nd minute. Soulo Letsoalo started the opportunity by playing a high ball into the box that was headed away by a Regis defender and ended up right at the feet of Lars Walczyk, who collected the ball and fired it with some heat into the frame to give UCCS a 2-1 advantage.
- Just minutes later, UCCS forward Nick Walker had a breakaway attempt at the net looking to extend the Mountain Lion lead, but was thrown down by Regis defender Arjun Venkat, resulting in a red card and forcing the Rangers to play down a man for the rest of the game. UCCS would fail to score on the ensuing free kick, sending the match to the second half with the Mountain Lions holding a one-goal lead.
- The second half saw a back-and-forth affair with both teams having multiple strong chances on frame. It wasn't until the 89th minute, however, that Regis managed to get the ball to fall in their direction as they scored an equalizer off the foot of Cameron Benetti. After the Regis goalkeeper placed a punt into the Rangers offensive attacking area, Benetti collected the ball and took a shot from about 30 yards out that grazed off the top of UCCS defender Adin Schwenke's head and rolled into the net, evening the game at two goals.
- UCCS went into a frenzy for the final 90 seconds of the match looking to re-take their advantage but were unable to do so as the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
STATS FROM THE GAME
- Regis held advantages in total shots (20-16) and shots on goal (11-7) while UCCS led in corner kicks (6-5).
- Barajas added to his team and RMAC-leading goal total with his tenth of the season, while Walczyk recorded his first goal of the season.
- Barajas also paced the Mountain Lions with three total shots, with four additional UCCS student-athletes recording a pair.
- Soulo Letsoalo and Schwenke both played the full 90 minutes on the defensive end.
- Russell also logged a full 90-minute performance in frame, surrendering two goals while making a season-high nine saves.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will close their regular season slate on Wednesday, Nov. 6 with a home match against No. 16 nationally ranked Colorado State University Pueblo. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. from Mountain Lion Stadium.
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.
