Over the week of Sept. 11-18, the UCCS Mountain Lion men’s and women’s soccer squads earned two wins apiece. Now, both teams find themselves with a winning record after two weeks of regular season play.
Men’s soccer narrowly defeated both competitors in their two straight days of matches, as they pulled out a 4-3 overtime victory against the Saint Martin University Saints on Sept. 17 and took care of the Northeastern State University Riverhawks in a tight 3-2 bout on Sept. 18
Originally, UCCS was prepared for a single game against Lubbock Christian University on Sept. 16, but due to COVID-19 protocols, the Chaps were unable to play. The adjusted schedule allowed the Mountain Lions a two-match, neutral location battle with the Saints and Riverhawks in Lubbock, Texas, on the Chaps’ home field.
In the Mountain Lions’ first match against the Saints of Saint Martin, they saw themselves in a late 3-1 hole through 58 minutes. UCCS junior midfielder Kolby Raineri found the back of the net just before the end of the first half, accounting for the only goal for the Mountain Lions up to that point.
However, Raineri continued to shoot, eventually leading all players in shots and shots on goal and led the Mountain Lions to a two-goal comeback, ensuring a 4-3 victory for UCCS. Raineri scored or assisted on all four goals for the Mountain Lions on Sept. 17, with dimes to sophomore midfield Adin Schwenke and senior forward Adam Baldwin in the second half, before putting the finishing touches on the match with his second goal of the match in the overtime’s 91st minute.
The following match, the men squared off with Northeastern State’s Riverhawks, where both lineups traded goals throughout the entire match and saw their attacks succeed, leading to more shots on goal and creating a fast-paced match.
Junior defenseman Nic Grotle scored the only goal of the first half for either team, a 42nd minute penalty kick, to put the Mountain Lions on top going into the locker room. Sophomore forward Jack Souder’s finish just five minutes later gave UCCS a comfortable 2-0 advantage that changed the tide of the game in their favor.
Despite two more goals later in the match from the Riverhawks, a late goal by junior midfielder Luka Cecic made the score 3-1 for the Mountain Lions. UCCS glided away from Lubbock, Texas with a 3-2 triumph and a two-game winning streak to take back to Colorado Springs.
Women’s soccer spent their road trip in the sunshine state of Florida, where they cruised to nonchalant victories over the University of Tampa Spartans and the Saint Leo University Lions, increasing their winning streak to four games.
On Sept. 15, the Mountain Lions took care of business with the Spartans. Midfield grad student Tarah Patterson attained the only goal of the match for either team, as the defense only allowed three shots on goal and redshirt junior goalkeeper Chloe DeShazer saved every one of them.
Two days later, UCCS shut out Saint Leo 3-0, with a defensive effort that repeatedly deflected shot attempts.
Freshman forward Jadyn LeDoux began her UCCS career by racking up two of the Mountain Lions’ three goals of the afternoon.
The women will stay on the road for their next two matches against Western Colorado University on Thursday, Sept. 23, and Fort Lewis University on Sunday, Sept. 26. Men’s soccer will return to Colorado Springs to take on the Adams State University Grizzlies on Friday, Sept. 24.
