Chippy affair sees Mesa move to 2-1 on young season

It was hot, tempers were elevated, and in the end, Mesa would prevail over the cross-country Monroe, NY Tribunes and Head Coach Nelson Cupello, 3-2.

Mesa struck early (11th minute) on a goal off the foot of sophomore forward Taylor Hough.  Sophomore midfielder Miguel Romero fed Hough with a great lead ball to give Mesa a lead they would never relinquish.

The physicality of this contest was on display early and often as Mesa would suffer two yellow-card infractions, one in the 36th minute on captain midfielder Eric Rodriguez, and one in the 57th minute on freshman midfielder Michael Markette. 

The T'Birds would go up 2-nil off the boot of sophomore forward Brendan Ryan.  Ryan exhibited some speed and nifty footwork in getting around freshman defenseman Gary Hause of the Tribunes in the 22nd minute and Mesa was rolling.

Mesa controlled tempo in the first half and displayed some mid-season form on their transition diagonal passing.

However, Monroe's Hause would answer just two minutes later to cut the margin to 2-1 after a goal on a solid give-n-go feed from freshman forward Travid DeLyser.

Mesa GK Cesar Buelna had a very strong game tending the net for the T'Birds.  In the 30th minute, Buelna won a 50/50 ball and upended DeLyser in the process, saving  a would-be goal.  He would again come through for his team in the 61st minute snaring a rocket free kick from the top of the box, preserving the lead.

Freshman forward Jesse Eyman would put Mesa up 3-1 in the 37th minute on a beautiful cross from freshman forward Joseph Gutierrez.

The match would go into the break with Mesa in the lead 3-1.  Freshman defender Seamus Sharkey would bury one beyond the reach of Buelna in the 83rd minute but Monroe would get no closer.

Both teams are in action tomorrow night against Chandler Gilbert as the women kick at 4:30, followed by the men at 7.