The Mesa State Men’s Soccer Team finished the 2010 spring season against Division I Junior College powerhouse Garden City Community College. Garden City which was a final four team just two years ago and have had strong results against DI and DII teams this spring came to Grand Junction for two matches against the Mavericks on Saturday night.
The first match was a 50 minute game that Garden City won 1-0. Garden City showed their strength by controlling a significant portion of the match as the Mavs were on their heels defending. Great goalkeeping by Billy Martinez kept the Busters off of the scoreboard until the last few minutes. A giveaway by the Mavs midfield led to a counter attack and the goal.
The second match was a different story as the Mavs and Busters played an entertaining match that featured seven goals and a number of goal scoring opportunities. The Mavs came out strong against a very talented Garden City squad opening the scoring with a goal from Reese Kegans that came off of a beautifully served ball by Marco Angelo. There was question of a handball, but the play happened so fast in addition to a near collision with the GCCC goalkeeper which ultimately prevented the referee from seeing it. The goal stood and the Mavs took a 1-0 lead after ten minutes.
Mesa State was able to double their lead when midfielder Benny Medina was able to sneak past the Busters back line and receive a beautifully played ball from Sam Dixon. Medina was able to touch the ball past the GCCC goalkeeper and as he was about to finish the goal he was taken down by the Busters centerback. Marco Angelo stepped up to take the penalty and was able to slot the ball for a 2-0 Maverick lead.
The game was played at a high level as both teams possessed the ball well with the Mavs creating more dangerous scoring opportunities in the first half. Danny Westcott and Reese Kegans saw their chances go wide as they were able to get free in the box. The Mesa State back four shut down the Busters forwards and were able to keep them off the scoreboard.
Later in the half the Mavs were able to increase their lead to three when a strong buildup saw Mitchell Reid streak down the flank and play a ball across the box to Reese Kegans for his second goal of the game. The Mavs went into half leading 3-0 creating numerous scoring opportunities and possessing the ball.
The second half saw the Mavs play some of their best soccer of the year as they started off the second half moving the ball very well. The Mavs midfielders were able to get the ball wide to forwards Andy Cornia and Brandon Burton which isolated them against the Busters’ defenders. The duo was able to create chances that the Mavs unfortunately could not bury. Finally, on an eight pass sequence that swung the ball from side to side and finished with a beautiful ball from Marco Angelo to Danny Westcott put him in on the GCCC goalkeeper. A nice move past the goalkeeper and the goal put the Mavs in front 4-0 with 30+ minutes to play.
The last 30 minutes was a different story as the Busters stepped up the intensity and were able to draw two goals back. The first came when the Busters’ centerback was able to run through the Mavs midfield win a tough challenge and play their forward who went in one on one against Mavs’ goalkeeper Micah Conrads to score and get Garden City on the board. A second goal came a few minutes later as a poorly defended cross resulted in a free header in the box to put Garden City within two. Conrads was able to limit the Busters to only two goals as he came up strong as Garden City pressured the Mavs.
A few minutes later after another nice buildup midfielder Nick Labor found himself at the top of the box and was able to put a well placed ball past the Busters goalkeeper and seal the match for the Mavs 5-2.
The Mavs finished the spring season strong playing some of their best soccer of the year which included wins over RMAC opponents Adams State and Ft. Lewis. Hopefully, the strong finish will carry over to the fall where they begin their fourth season as a program with a deep team and high expectations.