Lakewood, CO – The Cougars hosted unbeaten CSU-Pueblo Sunday morning, losing 3-2 in heartbreaking fashion to the Thunderwolves. An
Oscar Sreckov brace would ultimately fall short as the Thunderwolves scored the game winner in the 87
th minute.
Physical. Gritty. Emotional. A bitter rivalry formed over the past 6 years has seen several nail biters between these two sides, and today's matchup was no different. A warm morning saw both sides come out firing from the opening whistle, with the Cougars needing just 97 seconds to notch the game opener.
A long diagonal ball from the Pueblo backline was expertly picked off by a streaking
Jackson Schroeder, driving the ball down the left sideline. Slipping a ball to Ben Brown, Brown would manage to get to the endline, cutting back a ball for
Oscar Sreckov to blast into the back of the net. An electric start for the Cougars, the game only intensified as the Thunderwolves looked for the equalizer.
Pueblo would find their opening goal in the 23
rd minute, Cenek driving the ball across the top of the box and slotting a goal to level the game at 1 a piece. Both sides would enter the locker room even, the foul count even and Pueblo just leading the shot column 7-4.
With the second half underway, 14 seconds was all Sreckov needed to find the back of the net yet again. A lofted ball from
Ty Zimmerman bounced behind the Pueblo backline, allowing Sreckov to pick the center back's pocket and slot the ball past the keeper for his brace, giving the Cougars a 2-1 lead and recording the fastest goal from the whistle in program history.
The Cougars would manage to keep the Thunderwolves at bay until the 67
th minute, the Thunderwolves finding the games second equalizer. After several tackles from Cougar defenders, a bouncing ball would fall to the feet of Pueblo's Termini, poking the ball past Wolfgram for the Thunderwolves second goal.
A slugfest for the final 20 minutes, each side would force a save from the other as time continued to tick. The game only continued to intesify as each side looked to find the game winner closer to the final whistle.
Pueblo would ultimately find the breakthrough in the 87
th minute, a late dagger and the first time the Cougars trailed all game.
Bodie Curtis would manage a shot just wide in the 88
th minute, the game closing in heartbreaking fashion for the Cougars.
A impressive showcase from CCU that pushed CSU Pueblo to its limits, head Coach
Caleb Cole spoke the effort, stating, "Proud of the team today, they worked hard and conducted themselves well while scoring two goals.
Oscar has been training very well for a few weeks, and got a pair of good goals. I really liked that we started quick both halves!"
The day closed with
Oscar Sreckov netting his third goal of the season, Ben Brown also tallying his fifth assist of the year. Now 2-5 in conference, the Cougars look to close out their final three game strong in the final push for post-season.
The Cougars will be back in action on the road, taking on Colorado Mesa on Friday, October 23
rd with kickoff set for 7pm MST in Grand Junction.
