COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's soccer team defeats Westminster 2-1 in the RMAC Tournament Semifinals. The Mountain Lions will now compete for the RMAC Championship on Saturday, November 15 inside Mountain Lion Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado for the first time since 2014.
INSIDE THE MATCH-UP
Final: UCCS 2, Westminster 1
Records: UCCS (10-5-4, 7-2-1 RMAC), Westminster (11-7-2, 6-2-2 RMAC)
Facility: Mountain Lion Stadium | Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: Wednesday evening's matchup against the Griffins was the 28th in UCCS program history. UCCS is now 19-9-0 in the series.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Westminster started off strong with an early corner kick opportunity in the first minute, but was unable to get a shot off on goal and the match continued on as a 0-0 draw.
- The Mountain Lions responded quickly, scoring their first goal just five minutes after kickoff. Miles Seminario executed his signature throw-in perfectly from the left side of the pitch and connected with Luke Noameshie for the header goal towards the top right corner of the net.
- The Griffins were able to tie up the match before halftime off a corner kick from Owen Gallo. A Westminster player was able to head the ball towards the net, but it ricocheted off the crossbar just inches in front of the goal line and Alejandro Puente finished with a 1-touch shot.
- After Sean Belzer committed a foul on top of the 18-yard-box, Westminster gained a prime scoring opportunity in the 61st minute. Freshman defender Kolson Helquist lined up for the free kick, but was unable to bend it around UCCS' four-man wall.
- In the 76th minute, the Mountain Lions earned their second goal of the match after Westminster goalkeeper Tommy Manwaring punched out a cross. Eduardo Macias found himself with the ball at his feet and buried a shot into the lower right corner of the net. The Griffins could not find a way to tie up the match in the remaining 14 minutes, sending UCCS to the RMAC Championship this Saturday, Nov. 15.
STATS FROM THE GAME
- The Griffins led in shots, logging 16 compared to UCCS' 13. Six Westminster shots landed on frame, while only four Mountain Lion shots fell between the goalposts.
- Goalkeeper Hugo Sjöberg logged the entire 90 minutes and faced 16 shots, recording five saves during the match.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The last time UCCS competed in the RMAC Championship match was in 2014. The Mountain Lions defeated Colorado Mesa 3-0 in the RMAC Semifinals and went on to draw a 3-3 result against Colorado School of Mines in double overtime, but lost 4-3 in penalty kicks.
- Senior forward Miles Seminario ranks #4 within the RMAC for number of goals, totaling nine across 18 matches. Similarly, he ranks #6 for total number of shots, logging 43 throughout the season.
- Seminario broke the record for most games played as a UCCS Mountain Lion, totaling 81 in his career.
- Redshirt junior goalkeeper Hugo Sjöberg sits in the No. 3 spot within the RMAC for total shutouts per game (5).
UP NEXT
- UCCS will compete in the RMAC Championship match against MSU Denver on Nov. 15 inside Mountain Lion Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
SOCIAL
X – @GoMountainLions
Instagram – @gomountainlions
Facebook – /GoMountainLions
For everything UCCS Athletics, follow the Mountain Lions on social media and stay tuned to gomountainlions.com. 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.
