Denver- The Metropolitan State University of Denver men's soccer team (8-10-1, 8-6-0 RMAC) defeated UCCS (5-7-3, 5-3-2 RMAC) in a penalty kick shootout of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinal. The Roadrunners earned the 5-3 shootout victory over the Mountain Lions.
 
The Roadrunners came out of the gate strong with freshman forward Nils Runnerberg firing a great shot on goal within the first minute of the game, forcing the UCCS goal keeper to make a save.
 
The half slowed down a bit with both teams establishing just about equal possession for the rest of the half. 
 
The Mountain Lions had a few promising chances in front of the Roadrunners net, but junior goal keeper James Tanner (Lake Stevens, Wash./Lake Stevens H.S.) came up huge for his team making two important saves in the half.
 
Neither side was able to take the lead in the first half, sending the game into half tied at zero.
 
The second half was much of the same story.  Both sides saw their chances, however neither side was able to capitalize. 
 
Through a physical battle of double overtime, the score remained tied at 0-0 forcing the game into a penalty kick shoot out.
 
Junior goal keeper Alessandro Gentile (Milan, Italy/Scuola Europa) subbed in at goalie for the Roadrunners for his first game of the season. 
 
The Roadrunners five kickers included: Teo Jukic (Sindelgingen, Germany /Stiftsgynasium), Louie Sawaged (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista H.S.), Moritz Walther (Heidelberg, Germany /Otteinrich- Gymnasium), Kevin Beck (Chandler, Ariz./Basha H.S.), and Hector Banegas (Tucson, Ariz./Rincon H.S.).  All five Roadrunners found the back of the net.  Gentile was able to come up huge for the Roadrunners making the difference maker save on the Mountain Lions fourth kicker.  Bangegas was able to burry the fifth and final shot in to give the Roadrunners the 5-3 shootout victory.
 
The Roadrunners will play in the RMAC tournament semifinals on Friday, November 3 at Colorado School of Mines at 4 p.m.