COLORADO SPRINGS, CO- CCU made the trip south on Thursday for a nighttime matchup under the lights at UCCS. In a tremendous team display, two first half goals saw the Cougars take down the Mountain Lions for the first time in 15 years and the first time ever in Colorado Springs by a final score of 2-1. 

UCCS got off to a strong start offensively, taking three early shots that all missed the mark. In the 12th minute, Justine Moreau flipped the script as she hammered a shot to the lower left corner that found the back of the net for the Cougars off a beautiful through ball from Ava Dinverno. With a 1-0 advantage, the offense played with confidence, and they cashed in on another opportunity as Dinverno slotted home another goal 10 minutes later off a tremendous flick from Hannah Mares to set the striker free. Dinverno continued the pressure, firing off several more shots and forcing a save from the UCCS keeper. Keeper Alana Lopp was stellar all night long, and she made a strong save in the 26th minute to keep the hosts scoreless. The Mountain Lions broke through in the 32nd to draw things closer at 2-1, and the teams went to the break separated by a goal. 

The back line alongside Lopp put on a clinic on how to hold a lead in the second half as they faced an intense amount of pressure from the Mountain Lions. Three quick shots to start the first half saw Lopp make two saves and the team collect a save as well to maintain the lead. The game nearly went level in the 75th, but the hosts hit the woodwork and the defense continued to play strong for the Cougars. Mares put a shot on goal in the 79th that forced a save, and one last save in the final minutes from Lopp took the game to the final whistle of a monumental 2-1 victory for first year head coach Caleb Cole and the Cougars. 

Lopp was outstanding all night, making six essential saves to preserve the CCU lead. The offense made the most of their chances as four shots on goal saw two goals from Moreau and Dinverno. The win is the first over the Mountain Lions since a 3-2 victory in 2009 in Lakewood. Not only that, but the victory was the first in program history on the road in Colorado Springs, improving CCU to 2-1 in RMAC play. 

The Cougars will look to keep their momentum going as they travel to take on CSU Pueblo on October 6 at 1 p.m. MST.