LAKEWOOD, CO- CCU returned home for their second game of the season at Trailblazer Stadium under the lights against Regis University in a non-conference matchup Wednesday. In a battle to the end, a second half goal from Daniel Garciacano was the difference in a 1-0 Cougars victory. 

Looking to bounce back after their first loss of the season last week, Colorado Christian played excellent defense and showed a lot of offensive pressure. Avery Hipps got off a shot early on that forced a save from the Rangers keeper. Matthew Beaulieu kept the offense going with a shot of his own before Michel Pinoncely denied a Regis attempt for his first save of the game. The two teams battled back and forth from there before Caiden Dixon nearly gave CCU the lead, but a fantastic save from the Rangers Greg Squires sent the teams to the locker room tied at 0-0. 

Play became more physical in the second half as a slew of yellow cards began to be issued on both sides. In the 58th minute, a Rangers foul set up a free kick for the Cougars just behind the midfield line. Cole Foresman took it and launched a long ball into the box to the keeper. Squires had trouble dealing with the kick, and Garciacano seized the opportunity by deftly taking a touch to find a sliver of space and put the ball into the back of the net. It marked the first goal at CCU for the transfer from College of Southern Nevada as he put his squad ahead 1-0. 

After the lead was gained by CCU, the physicality increased even more as the Rangers saw a player sent off after his second yellow card. In the 72nd, Adrian Diez nearly made it 2-0 as he stole the ball and broke into space. However, his shot that got past the keeper hit the post and bounced out in an unfortunate break for the Cougars. Pinoncely made one last save in the 84th as Colorado Christian held on for a 1-0 victory at home. 

The Cougars totaled nine shots on the night, with three of those being on goal. The two teams each took eight corners, while Pinoncely notched his fifth clean sheet of the year with a pair of saves. 

CCU will now head to Grand Junction on September 24 for their final tune up before RMAC play begins as they take on Colorado Mesa at 1 p.m. MST.