For Montezuma-Cortez High School graduate Micah Conrads, playing goalie in last week’s NCAA Division II National Semifinals match in Louisville, Ky., on Dec. 4 was a dream come true.
A trip to the finals was not to be however, as Colorado Mesa University was defeated by top-ranked Charleston University, 2-0. With the loss, Colorado Mesa concluded its historic season with an 18-4-1 record.
According to Colorado Mesa’s website, Charleston took a 1-0 lead early in the seventh minute of the first half after a shot by Augusto Maciel found the back of the net after deflecting off a defender.
Charleston scored again in the 63rd minute of the contest when Will Roberts fired a shot past Conrads into the lower left corner of the net.
Conrads made seven total saves in the final game of his high school career.
“It was always my dream to be able to play in an NCAA tournament,” said Conrads, one week before his final match. “It’s definitely exciting for everyone on the team.”
Over the course of his career at Colorado Mesa University, Conrads made countless saves and was named RMAC goalkeeper of the year in 2013. Colorado Mesa captured its first RMAC Tournament Championship in school history that season. The Mavericks trip to the NCAA tournament this season was also a first for the program.
Conrads competed in soccer, basketball and track at M-CHS between 2006 and 2010. The son of Larry and Debbie, Conrads is majoring in criminal justice at Colorado Mesa University and is on track to graduate later this month.