GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Facing a CSU Pueblo defense that has allowed the fewest goals in the RMAC, Colorado Mesa was shut down offensively in a 1-0 loss in the semifinals of the RMAC Tournament.

Matthew Coleman's expertly-placed strike off a loose ball when the Mavs were unable to fully clear a corner kick was the only goal of the match in the 52^nd minute as both back lines were on their game. Diego Chavez made three saves for the Mavericks, while CSU Pueblo goalkeeper Ryan Nun made two saves for the ThunderWolves.

CSU Pueblo advances to play the winner of Sunday's other semifinal between top-seeded Fort Lewis and fourth-seeded UCCS in the RMAC Championship game next weekend. The Mavericks will need to wait to see if their resume is good enough to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. The Mavs were listed as the last team in the field in this past week's NCAA regional rankings.

ThunderWolves forward Gabriel Campora, currently leading the RMAC with 15 goals in 2023, was kept off the scoresheet but led the way with a game-high three shots, one on target. Matheus Lazzuri and Manuel Ponce Casas had two shots apiece for the Mavs, who were outshot by the visitors 15-9.

The first half was played almost entirely in CMU's defensive zone, but the Mavs defense kept it scoreless for the opening 45 minutes. CSU Pueblo had a 9-2 shots advantage in the first half and Chavez was called upon to make saves in the 11^th, 37^th and 44^th minutes, most impressively getting a hand down to his right side to deny Campora from close range.

The ThunderWolves finally broke through on a corner kick early in the second half. The initial corner was headed out towards Coleman in the top right corner of the box, but the senior midfielder had time to take a touch and hit a rocket into the top corner past a leaping Chavez.

It's the second consecutive season that Coleman has recorded a game-winning goal in Grand Junction, as Coleman also had an 80^th-minute game-winner in CSU Pueblo's 1-0 RMAC win over the Mavs last season. On both occasions, it was Coleman's first and (to date) only goal of the season.

The Mavericks were forced to be more attacking to try to equalize and outshot CSU Pueblo 7-6 in the second half, but never seriously threatened the net. Ponce Casas had a couple flashing chances in the second half but never had a clear shot at goal.

Freshman Jonah Elstad made his first collegiate start at center back and played all 90 minutes without committing a foul. As expected, the game was physical from CSU Pueblo's side, as the Pack had 16 fouls to the Mavericks' six.