GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Regis University men's soccer team came into its Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Semifinals match both upset-minded and with a grudge, and at game's end, suffered a 3-1 defeat from top-seeded Colorado Mesa at Maverick Field on Friday.

"We played a very tough opponent tonight, [but] I think three games in 6 days was just too much of an ask tonight," said Regis University Head Men's Soccer Coach Tony McCall. "The guys have been magnificent all spring through quite a bit of adversity but gave a very good account of themselves. [I'm] Very proud of these young men, and I must congratulate Mesa on their victory."

How It Happened: Deadlocked in a 1-1 tie, back-to-back possessions by senior defender Isa Trujillo and sophomore defender Raymond Jackson gave the ball to junior midfielder Gabriel Saturno, who then headed the ball into the high left of the net for the go-ahead, 2-1 advantage in favor of the Mavericks midway through the 40th minute. This would be the eventual game-winning goal.
 
The first half almost ended with Colorado Mesa getting an insurance goal off a free kick from junior midfielder Ethan Anderson as time expired, but it hit the crossbar.
 
Following a few shots over a span of more than 20 minutes into the second half, freshman midfielder Joey Joiner set up sophomore forward Alec Fronapfel. With the ball in his control, Fronapfel drilled an insurance goal to the lower right in the 66th minute to extend CMU's lead to a 3-1 margin, which was where the score would remain for the rest of the contest.
 
The Mavericks defense proved especially daunting for the Rangers during the second half. Senior defender Danilo Pekovic was credited with Regis's only shot during the second half, a blocked shot at the 60:12 mark.
 
With the game at a scoreless impasse, an unfortunate own-goal situation ensued that gave Colorado Mesa an early 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.
 
Eager to get back into the match, Pekovic directed a pass to senior midfielder Eric Peter, who proceeded to knock the ball into the high-left corner of the net for the equalizing, 1-1 goal at the 17:44 mark.
 
RU nearly took the lead during the 26th minute on junior defender Sam Gardner's shot attempt to the lower left, but his shot was saved from crossing the goal plane.
 
The Rangers experienced a close call at the 32:06 mark when senior midfielder Aaron Martinez shot a ball amid heavy foot traffic into the lower-left corner of the goalbox, but it was saved.
 
Game Notes: Peter (1 G, 1 S, 1 SOG) scored the tying goal on his only shot attempt of the match. Pekovic (1 A, 1 S) assisted on the game-tying goal. Gardner (1 S, 1 SOG) registered an on-target shot for the Rangers. Junior goalkeeper Luca Falagrady (4 SV) made some critical stops during the game.
 
Up Next for the Rangers: Regis ends its season with a 3-3 record overall. Due to the challenges of finances, logistics, and operations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA Division II Championships for fall 2020 athletics programs were canceled.