Mountain Lions spoil home-opener
ALAMOSA, Colo.— The University of Colorado-Colorado Springs spoiled the first ever home match in Adams State College men’s soccer history as Matt Friesen, Eric Goldberg and Greg Miley tallied goals for the Mountain Lions in their 3-0 victory, Tuesday afternoon at Murphy Field.
The Mountain Lions allowed just eight shots, including three on goal, while improving to 1-1 on the young season. The Grizzlies, playing their first ever campaign, are now 0-2-1.
UCCS finished the match with 25 shots, including 12 on frame.
Friesen opened the scoring in the 18th minute when he headed a Mike Mason cross into the net putting the Mountain Lions up 1-0 at the 17:46 mark. That goal was the first of the 5-foot-10-inch sophomore’s season.
The Grizzlies nearly answered nine minutes later as a beautiful through ball by Jesse Dunbar (Spokane, Wash.) allowed Jonny Ortiz (Kennewick, Wash.) to go clear on a breakaway against Mountain Lion junior goalkeeper Adam Liszewski. However, Ortiz’s shot said wide left preserving the Mountain Lions’ lead.
That lead was then doubled to 2-0 at the 31:31 mark when Goldberg took a loose ball from Grizzly goalkeeper Jarod Thomas (Arvada, Colo.) at the top of the box and netted his first goal of the season.
The score remained steady throughout the rest of the half and for just over half of the second stanza before Miley notched his first tally of the young campaign with a 25-yard blast into the top, left corner of the netting after dribbling up the middle of the field.
Miley, a senior from London, England, led all players with five shots in the game while Friesen, Goldberg and Tom O’Dea had three each for the victors.
Ortiz led the Grizzlies with three shots, including one saved by Liszewski in the 63rd minute, while David Powers (Fairbanks, Alaska) and Dunbar took two shots each for the Grizzlies.
Liszewski made three saves overall in just over 81 minutes of action while picking up his first win of the season. Oliver Ward replaced him with 8:50 left and was untested.
Thomas made nine saves for the Grizzlies, equaling his young school-record. Sophomore Eric Byrd (Harrisonville, Mo.) replaced him with just under 20 minutes left and saw his first action of the season.
The game was somewhat physical as 32 total fouls were whistled, 17 on the Mountain Lions. Four cautions were also handed out, including three to the Grizzlies.
The Mountain Lions had a 7-0 edge in corner kicks at halftime before finishing with a 10-3 advantage in that category.
Earlier in the day, the first set of the Central Regional rankings were released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. The Grizzlies were tabbed seventh in those rankings while UCCS was tabbed 10th. Fort Lewis, now ranked fourth in the nation, was the top team in the region.
The Grizzlies are next in action this Friday at Colorado State University-Pueblo, currently 0-1 on the year. The match at the Rawlings Complex will begin at 2 p.m. Live statistics are slated to be available on the ThunderWolves’ web site.
Related Item: Online Photo Store Gallery
 |  |
 |
