DURANGO, Colo. – Off to a strong start through the first five games, the Fort Lewis College men's soccer team will look to continue their winning ways when they host MSU Denver this Friday and Colorado Christian on Sunday in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action at Dirks Field.

FLC (3-0-2, 1-0-1 RMAC) will face MSU Denver first on Friday at 3 p.m. before closing the week on Sunday at noon against Colorado Christian. The Skyhawks moved up to sixth in the latest United Soccer Coaches South Central Regional Poll and are one of four RMAC teams listed in the rankings.

This past week, the Skyhawks played a spirited game against #19 Colorado Mesa as a goal by Marshall Metzger in the 85^th minute ended up being the final goal as the teams tied at three. FLC then piled up four goals in cruising to the 4-0 victory over Adams State on Sunday.

Five players have at least three points with Ryan Lee leading the way with seven points, tallying three goals. Bar Hazut has six points with two goals and two assists. Nicolas Perez and Hakeem Rabiu have four points apiece, as both have a goal and two assists. Coleman Kane adds three points with both a goal and an assist. Landon Gibson, Ty Lang and Metzger have also added goals this season. FLC has outscored opponents 11-6 and hold a 95-52 shot advantage, including 42-25 on goal. In goal, Ventura Salcido has played all 492-plus minutes this season and holds a 1.10 goals against average and a .750 save percentage.

FLC ranks in the top-five in the conference and high nationally in several categories. The Skyhawks are second in the RMAC and 15^th nationally in assists per game (2.60), third in the RMAC and 66^th nationally in corner kicks per game (5.40), fourth in the RMAC and 28^th nationally in points per game (7.40), second in the RMAC and 69^th nationally in save percentage (.760), fourth in the RMAC and 35^th nationally in scoring offense (2.40), first in the RMAC and seventh nationally in shots per game (19), second in the RMAC and 20^th nationally in shots on goal per game (8.60), fourth in the RMAC in shutout percentage (.200), third in the RMAC and 58^th nationally in team goals against average (1.095), second in the RMAC and 19^th nationally in total assists (13), fourth in the RMAC and 43^rd nationally in total goals (12), fourth in the RMAC and 32^nd nationally in total points (37), third in the RMAC and 29^th nationally in won-lost percentage (.800).

Individually, Max Fuentes Carrera, Hazut, Perez and Rabiu are tied for seventh in the RMAC in assists per game (0.40), Gibson, Lang and Lee are tied for fourth in the RMAC and 68^th nationally in game-winning goals (1), Salcido is fifth in the RMAC and 60^th nationally in goals against average (1.095), Lee is fourth in the RMAC and 87^th nationally in goals per game (0.60), Lee is also fourth in the RMAC in points per game (1.40), Hazut is sixth in the RMAC in points per game (0.40), Salcido is third in the RMAC and 67^th nationally in save percentage (.750), he is also fifth in the RMAC in saves per game (3.60), Hazut is second in the RMAC and 54^th nationally in shots per game (3.40), Lee is fourth in the RMAC in shots on goal per game (1.40), Salcido is fourth in the RMAC and 68^th nationally in shutouts (1), Fuentes Carrera, Hazut, Perez and Rabiu are sixth in the RMAC in total assists (2), Lee is fourth in total goals (3), Salcido is fourth in the RMAC in total saves (18).

The first game of the week will be against MSU Denver. The Roadrunners are 3-3 overall and 2-0 in RMAC play. They've played all but one game at home this year. This past weekend, they defeated Colorado Christian and Dixie State by scores of 4-0 and 4-1, respectively. Gianni Steijlen leads the offense with five points, tallying a pair of goals and an assist. Jacob Coking, Rafael Munoz-vega and Kyle VanAlstine all have four points apiece, with Coking and VanAlstine netting two goals apiece. MSU Denver has 13 goals compared to nine for opponents. They generate 83 shots to 77 for opponents, with 35 on goal to 25 for the opposition.

Last year, the teams only met once back on Oct. 6 in Denver and the Skyhawks cruised to a 3-0 victory. Lee scored the first goal of the game and FLC also added a team goal off a corner kick and tallied the last score from Churchill Onumonu. The Skyhawks recorded 24 shots, with 10 on goal while holding the Roadrunners to 16 shots, with four on goal.

The teams also met in Denver back in 2016 and the Roadrunners picked up that victory by a 2-0 decision.

To close the week, the Skyhawks will face Colorado Christian on Sunday. The Cougars are 0-5 and 0-2 in RMAC play. To open up RMAC play this past weekend they fell to MSU Denver (0-4) and Westminster (0-7). Dmitri Fabro and Dohnovyn Jackson lead the team in shots with three apiece. Opponents have outshot Colorado Christian 132-19 and 56-6 on goal.

Last year, the teams played a close match in Durango on Oct. 8 with the Skyhawks taking the 2-1 victory. The Cougars took the early lead before Lee and Perez answered with goal the remainder of the way for the win. FLC held a 15-6 edge on shots and 6-5 on goal.

Back in 2016, the teams met twice with FLC recording a pair of shutouts by scores of 3-0 and 2-0. The teams played each other twice within a seven day stretch that season.

Heading into this weekend, Colorado Mines and MSU Denver lead the RMAC with 2-0 conference marks. Fort Lewis, Westminster, Colorado Mesa and Regis are all tied for third with 1-0-1 records.

Live video and stats will be available for both games.

 Hawks Fly Together: Fans interested in making a donation to the men's soccer program can do so by (once you click link, please select gift amount, then click on select fund, pick athletic teams and scholarships from the list and then in the sub-category, select men's soccer) clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Skyhawks. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.