DENVER- Carlos Mendez (Denver, Colo./Broomfield H.S.) scored the game winning goal in the 96th minute to give Metro State a 2-1 victory over Western Washington in the season opener.   The win increased the Roadrunners record to 1-0-0 on the season while the loss dropped the Vikings to 0-1-0.

In the first half, neither team were able to capitalize on its chances as the halftime score was 0-0.  Overall for the first half, the Roadrunners controlled the pace of the game as they outshot the Vikings 7-1.   

In the second half, the Roadrunners were finally able to cash in on one of their opportunities when Andy Lopez (Phoenix/La Joya H.S.) scored the first goal of the game in the 61st minute.  Lopez's goal was a header off the corner kick from Pierce Galan (Phoenix/Seton Catholic H.S.). 

In the 75th minute, the Vikings answered when Andrew Weishaar scored his first goal of the season on a 25 yard bullet from outside the top of the box. 

Despite outshooting the Vikings 11-3 in the second half, the Roadrunners were unable to score another goal and the second half ended with the score tied 1-1.

In the first overtime period, the Roadrunners, led by Mendez, came out strong as they outshot the Vikings 3-0 in the overtime period.  Mendez had two missed opportunities before he was finally able to send home his third shot of the period to give the Roadrunners the victory.

The first opportunity came in the 92nd minute when Mendez just missed to the left side of the goal off a run inside the box.  Less than three minutes later Mendez found himself with the ball in front of the goal off a cross but was unable to score as the Vikings goalie made a diving save. 

Mendez finally was able to capitalize and give the Roadrunners the victory as his shot was able to beat a diving Keegan Rogers to the bottom-right corner of the net.

James Tanner (Lake Stevens, Wash./Lake Stevens H.S.) earned the victory for the Roadrunners in goal.  Rogers picked up the loss for the Vikings in goal however did earn six saves on the day. 

Overall for the game, Metro State outshot Western Washington 21-4 including outshooting the Vikings 8-1 for shots on goal.

Metro State will be back in action on Monday when it hosts Cal Baptist at 3:30 p.m. at Auraria Field.