Men Close Weekend with 1-1 Tie Against Visiting UCCS

Photo Courtesy of ASC Sports Information: Cody Sprouse

Reggie Thompson
The Paw Print

The Grizzlies “left it all on the field” Sunday against the Mountain Lions of the University of Colorado- Colorado Springs tying their opponent 1-1.
Both goals came in the first half; the first in favor of UCCS.  The Mountain Lion’s junior forward, Scott Kocel, scored unassisted in the eighth minute, dribbling down the right side and shoot back across his body, landing the ball in the left center of the net.
It nearly took 35 minutes for the Grizzlies to retaliate, when freshman forward Cody Sprouse helped trickle in a score for his third goal of the season assisted by forward Johnny Mercer.
Overall, goal keeping for both teams was solid.
Adams State goalkeeper Michael Miller tallied 12 saves, while UCCS’ Brandon Costa put up eight of his own throughout the 110 total minutes, including the two overtime minutes.
Adams State had numerous chances in the overtime periods, the best coming from Mercer with 2:02 remaining in the second overtime. As he was one-on-one with Costa, Mercer dribbled and fired a shot from the right side, but narrowly missed, nailing the outside of the right upright goal post.
It was the third OT game of the season for Adams State, and the Grizzlies kept their strong attacking effort going on, tallying a shot on goal in each extra frame. Adams State head coach Tim Busen was greatly optimistic about his team by the end of the game.
Busen touched on his team’s effort saying, “They work so hard for each other… the chemistry is right.  It’s a good time to be on this team.”
The 2011 regular season is coming to a close and the Grizzlies have two games left.
Both games are against ranked teams; the first #23 Colorado School of Mines.
The Orediggers were once ranked  number 1 earlier this season, but after losses, their rank dropped. For the Grizzlies, this could be a prime moment for an upset.
“We know we can attack as much as they can [and] we’re confident we can defend their set pieces, so I think our chances are good,” said Busen.
In the first matchup between the two teams, Adams State out shot Mines 17 to 16, but unfortunately for the Grizzlies, the Orediggers scored three set pieces: two corner kicks and a free kick to win the game 3-0.
The game will begin Friday at 6 p.m.  in Golden, Colo.