In a Sunday double header at Rawlings Sports Complex, the CSU-Pueblo men’s soccer team tied the Fort Lewis Skyhawks 1-1 after double overtime. The wome’s team, playing in their final home game of the season, defeated the Mesa State Mavericks on a first half goal by Senior Katie Thiebaut, 1-0.
After falling behind early in the first half to the defending National Champions Fort Lewis 1-0, the ThunderWolves offense finally awoke late in the second half. A pass by junior forward Robert Kinsey guided freshman midfielder Chad Smith header into the net for his second goal of the season.
The ThunderWolves continued to press on for a victory for two more overtimes, and were one inch away from victory in the second overtime when a Kinsey shot to the net deflected off the top of the goal post.
The ThunderWolves would have never had a chance to even get into an overtime battle with Fort Lewis had it not been for their standout junior goalkeeper, Jacob Blum.
Blum was the defensive key for the Pack, keeping the ThunderWolves in the entire game after giving up the early goal against the Skyhawks. Blum kept the Pak in the game with his acrobatic saves and movement around the net.
Blum racked up 16 saves for the ThunderWolves, tying the school record of saves in a game, set by Mike Clark in 1993 against Colorado College.
Early on, the Pack could not find the net because of a tenacious Fort Lewis defense around the net. They were outshot 8-3 in the first half, and only committed five shots on goal the entire game.
However, the Pack fought on after the stagnant first half, breaking down the Skyhawks net for 10 more shots in the second half, eventually breaking through on Smith’s header with only nine minutes remaining in regulation.
Although the game ended in a tie, it certified a place in the upcoming RMAC tournament. Their record now lies at 7-8-1 and 6-5-1 in RMAC play.
The Pack will finish their season with two home games against Mesa State and Metro State, needing a win in both to secure a first round home game in the RMAC tournament.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the woman ThunderWolves finished their final home game of the year with a 1-0 victory over the Mesa State Mavericks.
Before the game started, the seniors were recognized for their athletic achievements at CSU-Pueblo.
Senior Sarah Deziel provided the game with a heartfelt moment early, having not been able to play the entire season because of a preseason knee injury. Coach Janet Cassidy allowed the senior to start the final home game before being subbed out because of the injury.
The moment must have sparked offensive standout Katie Thiebaut.
In the 19th minute of play, Thiebaut fired a shot passed the Mavericks goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead that the Pack woman would not relinquish the rest of the game.
Playing in her first game and her first start, Senior Katie Martinet earned the victory at keeper for the ThunderWolves and also contributed two saves for the Pack.
In addition to Thiebaut and Martinet, seniors Leanne Carberry, Aubrielle Willams, Jessa Cook, Kara Morton, Janel Barnes and goalkeeper Jessica Stumpf all had excellent games to help provide the ThunderWolves with a victory.
Although the Mavericks forced nine shots on goal, the goalkeeper trifecta of Martinet, Stumpf, and freshman Savannah Thompson kept Mesa State from putting many of their shots into the net, as they combined for nine saves.
The win bumps the ThunderWolves record up to 5-10-1 overall, and 3-8-1 in RMAC play.
The ladies look to finish on a high note with their final two games of the season on the road against New Mexico Highlands and Colorado School of Mines over the weekend.
