CCU opened up RMAC play against Metro State on Wednesday, September 13^th in Lakewood, CO. This meeting between the two teams would be there 26^th since 2002 and it has been a lopsided affair for the past 15 years, with CCU going 0-25 since 2002. That streak was emphatically broken this evening with a hard fought 1-0 victory against the Roadrunners.
 
Metro started the game off fast, launching a shot in the 8^th minute that beat CCU keeper Taylor Budzinski on his inside post, but was waived off by the line judge for an offside penalty. Metro dominated possession for the majority of the first half, but CCU made their possession count.
 
Beginning in the 22^nd minute the Cougars began barraging the Roadrunners with shots, and in the 24^th minute it paid off with a goal from sophomore Larson Hanlin. The shot found the back of the net after Hanlin rebounded a blocked shot from fellow sophomore Logan Buckley.
 
The Cougars would take that lead into halftime and return to the field for the second half visibly excited for the next 45 minutes.
 
The second half started off similar to the first with Metro dictating much of the action. Emotions were starting to show on the pitch, earning CCU a yellow card while setting up their defense for a free kick. The free kick in the 51^st minute ricocheted off the CCU defensive wall and play rolled on.
 
CCU's defense, lead all night by the tireless efforts of senior Nate Flack, held strong against a barrage of Roadrunner shots in the final 45 minutes. CCU keeper Budzinski shined as well as he was challenged all night as Metro launched a total of 13 shots at him in the second half in an attempt to even the score. Budzinski saved or a total of five shots tonight, three in the second half alone, in addition to multiple blocks and punch outs.
 
Metro fought hard until the bitter end, wherein the 90^th minute, Metro State's goalie came forward in a last-ditch effort and took a shot that ended up going wide right to seal the CCU victory.  
 
The win moves CCU to the top of the RMAC standings in this young season at 1-0-0 in conference play, and 1-3-1 on the season. The men will take the field again on September 15^th when they travel to Rapid City, SD to take on South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.