GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.  Host and 5th-ranked Colorado Mesa University made good on more of its shots on goal than did Western Colorado as the unbeaten Mavericks broke open a scoreless Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game in the first half with three goals in 12 minutes and would go on to down the Mountaineers 5-0 Sunday afternoon.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Colorado Mesa def. Western, 5-0
Records: Western 1-10-2 overall (1-6 RMAC), Colorado Mesa 11-0-1 (6-0-1)
Location: Community Hospital Unity Field, Grand Junction, Colo.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Western was creating challenges for the highly-ranked Mavs during early first-half action. CMU picked up the opening goal in the 21st minute but the Mountaineers tilted the pitch in their favor over the next couple of minutes, getting off three shots on goal —against a team averaging just a little more than five total shots surrendered per game —over the next minutes.
• A CMU goal in the 30th, however, put Western in a hole from which it would be tough to climb out of, and a goal in the 33rd pretty much cemented the outcome.
• The Mountaineers were unable to generate much pressure in their attacking third until late in the second half, with the deficit at five goals after a pair of Maverick markers earlier in the half.

TURF NOTES

• Western finished the game with eight shots, five of which were on frame and saved by CMU goalkeeper Keely Wieczorek.
• Laura Pelino had some success pushing possession through the midfield and would end up with a pair of shots, as did Luci Gulbransen as well.
• Both of Gulbransen's shots were on goal, with Kylie Hickox, Mary Wilson and Karly Morkunas registering Western's other shots on frame.

UP NEXT

• The Mountaineers have two more road games upcoming before closing out the season at home.
• Western takes on host Regis University in Denver on Friday, October 20 before continuing on to Black Hills State (S.D.) University on Sun., Oct. 22.