LAKEWOOD, CO- The Cougars opened up their first RMAC game of the season on a sunny Friday afternoon at Trailblazer Stadium taking on the #11 ranked Skyhawks from Fort Lewis College. After a scoreless first half, both teams fought hard in the second half that resulted in a 2-2 tie at the end.
The match started off immediately with intensity with fouls coming committed by both teams. Fort Lewis would get a shot off well wide and over the goal. Senior
Adrian Diez would take a corner for CCU, but it was read well by the defender and cleared away. As the half went on, the Skyhawks would move down the field and a challenge from CCU inside the 18 yard box would give Fort Lewis a penalty kick just under 20 minutes into the game. The penalty taker stepped up but was denied by Jai Gillespie diving to the left side of the goal to make the huge save for the Cougars. Both teams would move the ball around and create chances, but halftime would come with both teams tied 0-0.
The Skyhawks started the second half just 44 seconds in and got a goal from a header leaping over Gillespie and giving the nationally ranked team the 1-0 lead. But the Cougars would respond just under five minutes later as a corner from Diez would be delivered and would find the Welshman
Findlay Coleman who would head the ball towards goal and equalize the game 1-1.
Avery Hipps moments later would get a shot attempt at goal, but it went into the hands of the opposing keeper. Fort Lewis would keep attacking with five corner kicks moving forward in the game, all of which would be cleared away. A ball played down the wing would find the Skyhawks on the break and a shot on a tight angle would go across and find the side net of the goal to give Fort Lewis a 2-1 lead with a little over 20 minutes left. With just under 10 minutes remaining, CCU sent a ball to the attacking third that was set down by
Gabe Roloff to
Lucas Peruzo whose shot was blocked. However,
Tiago Gomes controlled the deflection and struck the ball beautifully to the bottom corner to score and level the game at 2-2. Both teams fought till the very end until the ref blew the final whistle as the game would end in a 2-2 tie.
The Cougars tallied eight shots in the second half, nine overall in the game and six on goal.
Colorado Christian will return to Trailblazer Stadium on October 6 to take on Adams State University at 1:00 p.m. MST.
