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Jakob Larson vs. MSU Denver in the RMAC Tournament Quarterfinals
Kaitlyn Silva
Jakob Larson (5) eyes his teams positioning with the ball near his own penalty box against the Roadrunners on Dirks Field (Nov. 10, 2024)

Sixth-seeded Skyhawks meet third-seeded Mountain Lions in second round of NCAA Tournament

11/23/2024 11:30:00 AM

By: Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement
(6) No. 17 Fort Lewis at (3) #3 UCCS
NCAA DII Men's Soccer National Tournament Second Round
Sunday, Nov. 24, 3 p.m. | Mountain Lion Stadium | Colorado Springs, Colo.
NCAA Program | Watch | Live Stats | No Ticket Pre-Sales, Cash Only at the Gate
 
DURANGO, Colo. – For the second time in as many years, the Fort Lewis men's soccer team (12-3-6) will face a familiar conference opponent in the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (14-2-4) for its opening match of the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer National Tournament this Sunday at 3 p.m. at Mountain Lion Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo.
 
Know Before You Go
The forecast for Sunday afternoon calls for partly cloudy skies, temperatures in the high 50s, and light winds from the southwest. No tickets will be sold online prior to the match; all fans will need to purchase a ticket at the gate. Mountain Lion Stadium is a cash-only venue. Ticket prices range from $5 for students with valid I.D., children ages 2-12, and senior citizens to $10 for general admission.
 
First Time Around
The two squads met previously in a conference match back on Oct. 17 in Colorado Springs, when Fort Lewis left with a 3-1 victory. Defense keyed in the Skyhawks win as, despite allowing 15 total shots from the Mountain Lions, FLC held the home team to just two shots on goal for the match with the first not coming until Dani Barajas spoiled the shutout with a goal in the 79th minute. On the flip side, three Skyhawks got in on the scoring with Anton Hjalmarsson scoring the first goal in the 42nd minute, followed by a penalty kick goal from Thomas Kirkham in the 57th minute, and a third goal for good measure from Tomas Duenes in the 64th minute.
 
Two of the Top Keepers
Sunday's match will feature not just some of the top offensive firepower from the region but also two of the best goalkeepers around in Fort Lewis' Lucas Martin and UCCS' Soren Russell. Russell, the 2024 RMAC Goalkeeper of the Year, carries a 0.92 goals-against-average and 78.8 percent save percentage with 17 goals against, 63 saves, and six shutouts against 189 shots faced. Martin, a 2024 Honorable Mention All-RMAC selection, owns the second-lowest goals-against average in the south-central region at 0.81 while also owning the highest save percentage at 82.3 percent and tying for the fourth-most shutouts in DII with nine. In addition, Martin has made 65 saves and surrendered 14 goals against 178 shots faced.
 
Skyhawks Leaders
Fort Lewis has been an entirely different team in recent weeks thanks to the return of All-American forward Anton Hjalmarsson and All-Region defender Kaden Schufft. Offensively, Hjalamrsson has tallied six goals and two assists through his eight matches on the season. Gabriel Legendre, however, has been the lead foot thus far, tallying nine goals and three assists of his own. David Citron has been Fort Lewis' top point contributor as a dual threat in the midfield with six goals and ten assists. Behind them, Fabrizio Aguilera and Tomas Duenes, who also has seven assists, have each scored five goals, with four Skyhawks adding two or more goals apiece. On the opposite end, Schufft returns to aid 2024 First-Team All-RMAC defender Jakob Larson, as the duo leads a Fort Lewis defense that's tied for the sixth-most shutouts in DII.
 
Mountain Lion Leaders
UCCS is no slouch of a foe, and despite its fourth-place finish in the regular season, the Mountain Lions have enjoyed a top-five ranking on the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll for nearly the entire season en route to its new program record 14-win season. The aforementioned Barajas, who spoiled the FLC shutout back in October, headlines the attack for UCCS with 11 goals and four assists on the season thus far and is trailed by Miles Seminario and Nick Walker who have each added seven goals as well with Seminario leading Walker four assists to two. Cole Venable has two goals to his name, and four other Mountain Lions have scored two goals this season as well.
 
Win or Go Home
It's win or go home from here on out in the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer National Tournament. For the Skyhawks, thanks to a first-round bye, only five matches stand between them and the ultimate prize.
 
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