Cal State LA cleared an important hurdle on the road to the NCAA Final Four with a Second Round victory over Colorado State University Pueblo. As the Golden Eagles prepare for the tournament's Third Round, they now set their sights on another Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) opponent: Colorado Mesa.
Ahead of Thursday's matchup, get to know the Colorado Mesa Mavericks.

2021 SEASON SO FAR  

Colorado Mesa has had a brilliant season thus far, posting impressive stats en route to a 16-3-2 record, RMAC tournament title, and the program's sixth NCAA Tournament appearance.

Shutouts and scoring have been the name of the game for the No. 11 Mavericks in 2021. The team has played to a sixth-in-the-nation goal differential (41) while posting the nation's second-lowest team goals against average (.550) with 11 shutouts. 

The Mavericks opened their 2021 campaign with five straight wins, capping the streak with an impressive 5-0 shutout of then No. 19 Simon Fraser. Mesa then suffered their toughest stretch of the season over the next three games, dropping contests to then No. 25 Fort Hays State and Fort Lewis College. However, after the losses, the Mavericks never looked back.

Colorado Mesa opened their conference schedule on Oct. 1, beating then No. 19 CSU Pueblo before winning their next seven games in a row. During this eight-game stretch, the Mavericks outscored opponents 28-2, posting an eye-popping 9-0 win over Adams State University, which set new single-game program records in goals (9), assists (10), and points (28).

Mesa saw their winning streak come to an end on Oct. 29 with a double-overtime loss at then No. 17 Colorado School of Mines. The game, which remained scoreless through 73 minutes, saw two goals scored within a three-minute span, eventually sending the contest through two rounds of overtime. With just 1:13 left on the clock, the Orediggers scored the game-winner on a corner kick that was headed inside far post.

Two days later, the Mavericks were again forced through double overtime in their final regular season game, but instead Mesa split points after 110 minutes with Colorado Christian. 

A pair of three-goal victories led Colorado Mesa to their third RMAC Tournament title, and first since 2016. With the 3-1 win over CSU Pueblo in the final, Mesa also punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament, earning the RMAC's automatic qualifier.

Seeded fourth, the Mavericks faced a familiar foe in the tournament's Second Round game. Colorado Mesa clashed with No. 5 seed, Colorado School of Mines, this time hosting the Orediggers in Grand Junction. The two squads played through double overtime yet again, before deciding the scoreless tie with penalty kicks. Holding a 3-2 advantage in penalty conversions, Mavericks goalkeeper Connor Durant sprawled to his left to block a final shot and advance his team to the NCAA's Third Round game.

LAST TIME THEY MET

Cal State LA has played Colorado Mesa twice in program history, beating the Mavericks 3-0 in a 2011 non-conference match, before falling to the Colorado squad in 2014, 1-0, in the postseason.

The last time the teams met, Colorado Mesa ended the Golden Eagles' NCAA run with an 88^th-minute goal in the national quarterfinal match, sending the Mavericks on to the Final Four. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Mesa boasts 25 players who have earned points on the pitch this season, but the player who has contributed most to the team's success might be the one preventing points from Mesa opponents. The RMAC Goalkeeper of the Year, Connor Durant has been outstanding between the posts in 2021, leading the nation in save percentage (0.872), while ranking third in goals against average (0.495). The 6-foot-2-inch junior has earned 10 clean sheets and has given up only 10 goals on the season, never allowing more than two in a single contest.

On the offensive end, Alec Fronapfel has proved to be Colorado Mesa's difference maker in 2021. A First Team All-RMAC honoree, Fronapfel earned 19 points for the Mavericks, mostly due to his team-leading nine goals scored. Of his nine goals, five have proved game-winning, ranking him tied for seventh in the category nationally.

HOME VS. AWAY SPLITS

Colorado Mesa and Cal State LA have played nearly identical records at home and on the road. Both teams have earned 9-1-1 records at home in 2021. On the road, the Golden Eagles have collected a 6-1-1 line compared to Colorado Mesa's 5-1-1. The Mavericks have also played three neutral site games, finishing 2-1-0 in those contests.

THURSDAY'S MATCH

Thursday's match between Cal State LA and Colorado Mesa will kick off at 6 p.m. PST at University Stadium on the campus of Cal State LA. Stadium gates will open at 5 p.m.

Tickets will be available at the stadium's gate for cash-only purchase, and cost $10 general admission or $5 for students with ID, children under 12 and seniors.

The match will be broadcast live on CCAANetwork.com with Michael Nemetz on the call. Fans can also follow along with live stats at LAGoldenEagles.com/game.

In-game updates will also be provided via Twitter at @LAGoldenEagles.