THE RUNDOWN
The Patriots battled No. 2 CSU Pueblo to a 2-1 win in a climactic fashion Thursday night in Pueblo, Colorado. The match seemed to be coming to a close with both teams anticipating a draw until Dylan Berry delivered the go-ahead goal essentially flipping the script on the pitch as the Thunderwolves weren't able to equalize with 45 seconds left in the match. The goals from Berry (90') and Voelker (58') secured DBU their first win of the season.
DBU began the first half very physically as an early foul on Leo Larson awarded CSU their first free kick 43 seconds in and then another on Hunter Dierlam 45 seconds later. CSU Pueblo's Tobi Osifodunrin produced the night's first shot at the six-minute mark but was off target. The Patriots would begin to feel the pressure from the Thunderwolves offense after back-to-back corners that saw two off-target shots. Peyton Voelker's corner at 13:45 constructed two shots on goal, one by Gavyn Rosales that was cleared by Ruben Volkert, and the next by Dierlam that was off target. Not too long later Avery Brazzell attempted a shot on goal after a driving run down the middle of the field but DBU's attempts were saved yet again. Thunderwolve's Caio Oliveira had a close attempt on goal but before it could reach Patrick Banich it was cleared by Larson's back. The first half ended in a scoreless but foul-heavy affair as neither team could break through and make a goal.
CSU Pueblo started the half early with a quick start, leading to the first goal of the match by Jack Pascoe two minutes in. DBU's defense saw heavy pressure as the Thunderwolves attempted to double their advantage but the shot was off target. A foul on CSU Pueblo awarded the Patriots a free kick outside the box giving Voelker the perfect opportunity to equalize off of the right foot at 58:58. Rosales was issued DBU's first yellow card of the night at 63:57 and two minutes later Dierlam was issued the Patriots second. Un-sportsmanship conduct from both sides of the pitch would make both teams finish the half with 10 as DBU's Rosales and CSU's Andres Sorales were issued red cards and sent off the field 66 minutes in.
Not too long after Patrick Banich notched his first save of the night from a goal attempt by Osifodunrin. Banich would see heavy pressure from the Thunderwolves as they tried to get their 10th shot on goal but Banich was there yet again to keep CSU from pulling ahead. The match seemed to be coming to a close with both teams anticipating a draw until a Dylan Berry header off an Evan Pustejovsky assist gave the Patriots the go-ahead goal needed to take down the no.2 team in the nation as the Thunderwolves weren't able to equalize with 45 seconds left in the match.
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
2- Patrick Banich notched two saves tonight.
4- Four Patriots made a shot on goal including,
Gavyn Rosales,
Peyton Voelker,
Avery Brazzell, and
Evan Pustejovsky.
28- Peyton Voelker scored his 28th career goal.
DBU HEAD COACH JESS JOBE ON THE PATRIOTS' FIRST WIN
"This was an incredibly huge win for our program and I am excited and proud of the team for getting out there and gutting out a win. We played a really good team and we had the benefit of being the underdog. The guys deserve a lot of credit for stepping onto that stage and just battling step for step with a quality opponent. We survived a lot of threats and the guys had to work hard for every opportunity we're excited about the result and what it can mean for us. We have been doing the right things and moving things in the right direction and tonight was evidence of that. We're committed to this not being the defining moment of our season outside of just being the next step forward into what we already believe and know about ourselves and the capabilities of this team. The next step is to take this win and allow it to fuel us and battle just as hard in the upcoming matches. We are celebrating this win tonight because our team deserves the acknowledgment and the credit for their hard work. With the pedigree of our opponent tonight this means a lot we will look back at this moment as a big win and we are committed to putting our best foot forward and continuing to make this season a big one."
UP NEXT
The Patriots will face #24 UC Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Game time is scheduled for noon on Saturday, September 14th.
