GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- Junior transfer
Albert Rodriguez' goal in the 108th minute lifted 12th-ranked Midwestern State to a 2-1 win over Colorado Mesa Sunday afternoon at Walker Field.
The Mustangs came away from the weekend with a 1-1 mark after falling at Fort Lewis (Colo.) Friday afternoon in Durango.
"I was happy with the boys because we dug down in hot weather, turf and altitude," MSU coach
Doug Elder said. "It's awesome the kids bounced back like they did because we were pretty down Friday. This is a good Colorado Mesa that beat St. Edward's on Thursday. It was a good regionally win that puts us back in the hunt."
Rodriguez worked his way down the right wing and past a pair of defenders, faked a shot then pushed the ball to the far post passed sprawling CMU goalkeeper Micah Conrads for the game winner.
The goal was the first for Rodriguez, a transfer from Northwood (Texas) who also helped Richland College to a junior college national championship.
The Mustangs dominated the run of play limiting the Mavericks to a total of five shots for the game with just three of them falling on frame.
But CMU converted one of its few opportunities in the 79th minute when Alan Hernandez caught up to a through ball and struck a shot between MSU defender
Kalen Ryden's legs just inside the far post.
"It was very frustrating to dominate the run of play and create opportunities then suddenly to be trailing on scoreboard," Elder said.
The Colorado Mesa lead was short lived as the Mustangs took advantage of a penalty just two minutes later.
Rodriguez was taken down on a corner kick leading to a successful conversion by
Andrew Power for his third goal of the season.
"We wanted a clean sheet, but it was good that we didn't give up a re-start goal. We kept defensive shape and we were able to put a lot of pressure on them," Elder said. "We were definitely the better team in the first half, had a lull then gutted it out in overtime."
Midwestern State takes on Colorado-Colorado Springs in its home opener Saturday afternoon at the MSU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.
