Photo Credit: Di Miller
On Saturday October 18, the Metropolitan State University of Denver Roadrunners (3-1) played their second game of a double-header against the University of Wyoming Cowboys. MSU had just come off a close loss to the UNC Bears 8-6 and wanted to win this game. After the first game, they went over plays; ground balls; defensive slides; passing; and working as a team. Obviously whatever Head Coach Aaron Meyer said to the squad, it worked. MSU would come away with the victory over Wyoming by the score 14-9.
The game started off with Joshua Davis #2 attack for MSU getting a hat-trick within the first three minutes of the game, the first with was unassisted with only 44 seconds on the clock; his second unassisted goal occurred within two minutes; followed by this third 40 seconds later, assist going to Mitch Larson #3 midfielder only 40 seconds later. They would follow it up with an unassisted goal by Drew Lazar #18 midfieler; and the fifth goal of the quarter was a sick Behind The Back (BTB) by Chris Jasen #14 (link attached) with 7:02 on the clock, assist going to Lazar. The goalie and defense were stunned because they thought Jasen was cutting in front of the net for a pass not knowing that Lazar had fed the ball to him, when Jasen saw the opening and flipped the ball over his shoulder and past the goalie to score. UNC would score twice only in the first quarter. Score at the end of the first MSU 5—Wyoming 2.
Heading into the second quarter, you could tell that MSU had figured out what they did wrong in the first game and capitalized on it. They were aggressive on ground balls; the defensive slides were there; and Bryson Olejnik #21 in goal was making some great saves behind his defense. UNC would be held to two goals in the second quarter. MSU would get an unassisted goal from Sam Houser #17 midfielder with 9:14 on the clock; followed by his second goal of the game with 1:15 left in the half. Score at the end of the half MSU 7—UNC 5.
After the second half started, MSU came out strong again scoring three more times. Lazar #18 would hit 12:17 into the third, assist going to Jasen #14. Wyoming would hit net once in the third. But Max Rogers-Jackson #9, midfielder would cap off the quarter with an unassisted goal with 7:19 left in the quarter. Wyoming was shut down by amazing defense; and stellar goal-tending. Score at the end of the third MSU 10—Wyoming 6.
MSU continued their run in the third quarter when Lazar would hit net twice with back-to back goals with only 46 seconds off the clock. He would follow it up with another goal hitting twine with 1:15 on the clock assist going to Houser #17. Kyle Miller #16 midfielder played aggressively throughout the game covering the defense; he had two shots on goal; was getting those ground balls and making some spectacular passes; he was a key to caused turnovers which allowed the offense to take advantage; his hidden ball trick caused a lot of problems for Wyoming; allowing the offense to get grounds balls and make their way to the net to score.
The final three goals of the game were scored by Josh Davis (who also scored the first three goals of the game). His fourth goal of the game assist going to Houser would come with 11:50 on the clock; followed by his fifth goal only 30 seconds later assist going to Lazar; and his sixth goal unassisted with only 9:06 left in the game would give him the sock trick. Final Score MSU 14—Wyoming 9.
MSU would come away with 28 GB and 28 SOG. Bryson Olejnik would have 7 saves in the game which was enough to keep Wyoming from scoring.
In the faceoff category, MSU had three different guys taking face-offs: Alexandre Frimm #7; Sam Houser #17; and Mitch Larson #3. They won 8 of 23 face-offs, giving them a .347 average on FOPCT. MSU is now 4-1 on the season.
It’s obvious that MSU needs to find a key faceoff man so they can capitalize and come up with much needed possessions. Once they figure this out, they will see more goals scored with the extra possessions on face-offs.
MVP of the game goes to Joshua Davis #2 with his sock-trick 6 G, 6 GB, and 1 A.
Metropolitan State University is set to play Johnson Wales University on Sunday November 6 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park at 6:00 p.m. The last two times these teams met during the regular season, was the final game of the regular spring season with MSU coming out on top by the score of 9-8.
Post Game Interview:
