If the Colorado State University-Pueblo men’s soccer team was thinking anything on this cool October night it was this: redemption.
Junior Robert Kinsey and Freshman Dustin Geist must have had this thought in mind, as their combined for three goals in a 3-2 victory over the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Mountain Lions last Wednesday night.
After loosing the coveted ‘Steel and Silver’ series to rival UCCS last season, the ThunderWolves regained their pride this season. The victory over the Mountain Lions, earlier in the year, combined with tonight’s win certified a series victory.
It was not an easy victory however, as UCCS took an early led over the Pack on Jarod Stewart’s goal that snuck past goalkeeper Jacob Bloom.
After fighting through a tough UCCS defense, the ThunderWolves were finally able to bite the Mountain Lions, tying the game, 1-1, on Kinsey’s goal that was assisted by none other than Geist.
After tying the game, the ThunderWolves, along with goalkeeper Blum, settled down containing the Mountain Lion offense going into the second half still tied at 1-1.
However, a saved ball forced Pack midfielder Connor Marcone to kick the ball back into CSU-Pueblo’s own net, resulting in a 2-1 lead for the Mountain Lions.
After the defensive miscue though, Blum was stellar behind the net, compiling 12 saves for the ThunderWolves. Having been apart of a loss against UCCS last year, Bloom was all-but-defeated in this contest.
“He struggled last year against UCCS, but got some double redemption,” coach Roy Stanley said. “He played great in the first game against UCCS and great tonight, and has made some great improvements over the last 12 months.”
Needing a pickup on offense, the ThunderWolves fab offensive tandem of Kinsey and Geist struck again, as a header from Robert Kinsey tied the game up at 2-2 for his second goal of the game and 28 career goal, 7 goals away from tying the CSU-Pueblo goal record of 37 goals.
Minutes later, Geist got into the scoring mix, as his floater to the top right of the goal, netted him his seventh goal of the season and a 3-2 lead the Pack would not relinquish.
It was an up and down game according to coach Stanley, but he thought that a great showing of spirit and confidence from his team allowed them to get this victory.
The win puts the ThunderWolves at 7-6 overall, and 6-3 in RMAC play. After two road showings at Regis and Mesa State, the men return to Rawlings Sports Complex on Oct. 24 against Fort Lewis College.
