With gray clouds and a slight chilly wind, UCCS drew against the Regis Rangers, 2-2.
Pressure set heavy between the two teams, collaboratively making five fouls between the two teams in the first 15 minutes. In the 17th minute, UCCS’ Dani Barajas got too aggressive with a slide tackle from behind, giving him a yellow card.
When Barajas touched the ball shortly after the 18th minute, RU’s Sahar Golov pushed him to the ground right outside their own box, not only giving Golov the second yellow card of the game but giving UCCS their first real opportunity for a shot on goal.
Barajas, taking the freekick, took three steps back and waited for the whistle. With his right foot, Barajas placed the ball into the top left corner of the net with intense speed, making the match 1-0 in favor of UCCS.
This only made the fight between the two teams more vigorous, as both the goalkeepers had to step up with numerous shots on goal. As RU moved down the right side of the field, the ball was centered into the air. The ball broke past UCCS’ line of defense, and was volleyed by RU’s Elias Taubo, soaring to the bottom right corner of the net. Soren Russell stretched as far as he could, catching the ball into his hands.
Shortly after, in the 33rd minute, the Mountain Lions’ Nick Walker boomed down the field, obtaining a one-on-one with the Ranger’s keeper, Greg Squire. With his right foot, Walker took his opportunity, but the ball went straight down the center and off of Squire’s gloves.
The Rangers attacked once more. Down the right side of the field pushed Jacobo Betancourt-Tovar, crossing the ball into the center of UCCS’ box, where Liam Corr swung his right foot for a volley. The ball glided past Russell’s hands, hitting the back of the right side of the net, tying up the match, 1-1.
Running down the right side of the field, the Mountain Lions’ Lars Walczyk dribbled to the center, avoiding two defenders on the way. He set up the ball for a shot with his left foot, which slipped past Squire and entered the right side of the net, giving the Mountain Lions the lead at 2-1.
In the 43rd minute, Walker went to receive a through ball through the air, but when Regis’ Arjun Venkat missed his touch to control the ball, he ran into Walker, slide tackling him from behind. This play not only took away an opportunity for Walker with a one-on-one against the keeper but gave Venkat a red card.
The second half started out with immense pressure from the Mountain Lions, as UCCS’ Dalton Uehling, being a little too pushy, knocked over a Ranger on offense, earning him a yellow card.
In the 88th minute, UCCS made a devastating mistake. The Rangers’ Cameron Bennetti took the ball down the center of the field, chipping it up into the air for a teammate to head in, however, Adin Scwhenke scored an own goal with a header, tying up the game 2-2.
This is where the score stood for the remainder of the match, and both teams came away with a draw.
It was a thoroughly exciting game, as Regis had 20 shots, and UCCS with 16. A total of 22 fouls were made, making a collective four cards handed out.
UCCS’ men’s soccer record now stands at 13-1-3 in the RMAC, with a 6-1-3 record in the RMAC. The Regis Rangers record becomes 7-2-8 with a 6-0-3 in the RMAC.
UCCS is now 20-41-9 all-time against Regis, with a 4-0-1 record with current head coach Lewis Wilcox.
The Mountain Lions’ next matchup will be against CSU Pueblo at the Mountain Lions Stadium on Nov. 6 at 5 p.m. This will be UCCS’ last game of the regular season before the RMAC tournament begins.