| Posted October 28, 2007 |
Packs season ends with 1-0 loss to Fort Lewis
PUEBLO, Colo. - It was a continuation of the same Sunday, as the
ThunderWolves fell 1-0 to visiting Fort Lewis, again seeing
effective play and smart fundamentals not being reflected on the
scoreboard. But the Pack ended their season with their heads held
high.
The loss dropped the Pack to 6-10-2 for the season, a campaign in
which the ThunderWolves saw many games within reach and numerous
opportunities created in close games, but the glaring issue was the
Pack's inability to uncork accurate shots inside the 18-yard
line.
ThunderWolves head coach Roy Stanley said that the 2007 team,
despite the number of wins, were one of the most talented teams he
had ever coached in his 14 years at CSU-Pueblo. What he will take
away from this season is a squad that stayed positive despite a
string of frustrating games, displaying an extraordinary work ethic
and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
"Every team works for results, rankings, and all-American honors
for their players," Stanley said. "But day-to-day, this team works
harder both off the field and on the field than any other team I
have coached. Talent-wise, this is also one of the most talented
teams I've ever been around. At the end of the day, they've asked
themselves if they've displayed championship behavior, and the
answer is a resounding ‘yes.' I couldn't be prouder of this
group of guys."
Sunday's game marked the final games for four graduating seniors,
which included four of the five members of the Pack's defensive
backfield - goalkeeper Arturo Moranchel, and defenders Mike
Maksimowicz, Wes Warmack, and Noah Leners. The loss of those four
players will leave a big hole in the ThunderWolves' team next
season.
"They will be extremely hard to replace, both on the field and
off," Stanley said. "We also need work on getting some help in the
midfield and up front. Over the next nine months, we'll work on
those two things and we'll hopefully have a very strong team next
year."
As a team, it was the lack of standout goal scorers that was the
difference between a playoff season and one where the Pack would
sit at home. Jonny Valenzuela and Udobong Obotette both tied for
the team lead with three goals scored each while Obotette led the
team in points with seven. Both Valenzuela and Obotette will return
next year. Additionally, the ThunderWolves had a number of players
that had come on the final few games of the season, especially
offensively, including Allan Chacon, Sam Henritze, and Austin
Forakis, who came on as a key offensive producer, scoring one goal
on 15 shots over the final five games.





