The Mesa State Men’s Soccer Team opened their spring season against BYU Saturday at Walker Field. The two teams played two games with BYU winning the first 3-0 and the second 2-1.
BYU started off fast by taking a 2-0 lead in the first half off of two miss cleared balls by the Mesa State defenders. The first goal came after Mesa State pressured the BYU backs with Ben Medina and Brandon Burton turning their defenders and creating good scoring opportunities. A few seconds later a well placed cross by Andy Cornia was cleared out for a corner. On the ensuing corner BYU counter attacked and a miss cleared ball landed at the feet of a BYU forward and he finished it from 12 yards away.
The game was very physical in the first half. The possession was pretty even and scoring chances were few for both sides. BYU doubled their lead when a tough back pass forced Goalkeeper Billy Martinez into a difficult clearance that landed at the feet of a BYU player 30 yards from goal. He quickly played the ball to a forward standing right in front of the goal where he redirected the ball for a 2-0 lead at halftime.
The second half saw BYU carry more of the possession but create only a few goal scoring chances. Mesa State’s lack of match fitness was evident, but the boys played tough in this very physical game. A third goal late gave the Cougars the 3-0 lead to put the match away.
In the second game the Cougars were able to jump on Mesa State 2-0 and could have cruised to the victory, but a change in the momentum at half time energized the Mavericks as they pressured BYU the entire half. Goal scoring opportunities by Danny Westcott and Skylar Roy were turned away by the Cougars goalkeeper. John Vaccaro was very strong on the flank beating his defender and serving balls throughout the half. Finally, the Mavs broke their goal scoring drought when Danny Westcott was put through on a breakaway from senior Tyler Amerman and finished his chance. The Mavs pressured to the end but were unable to get the equalizer.
Overall it was a good start to the spring season. The boys were very competitive against a top rated team like BYU. The Mavs hit the field again against RMAC foe Adams State on April 3rd with kick off at 6PM at Walker Field.