Box Score Caden MacKenzie struck for the only goal of the game late in the 73rd minute to lift Colorado College to a 1-0 victory over the University Dallas in its regular-season finale on Saturday afternoon.

MacKenzie, who returned to the lineup after a three-game absence, received a pass 25 yards from the goal, turned and drove through a pair of Crusader defenders in the penalty area. He scored with a volley that hit the underside of the crossbar.

It was the fifth game winner of the season for CC's senior midfielder, who tied his single-season highs of seven goals and 17 points first set during his freshman year in 2013.

"After a very sluggish first half, the coaching staff questioned the passion and desire of the group," head coach Scott Palguta said. "The guys responded very well and played with a lot of pride and energy in the second half."

After generating only four shots in the first 45 minutes, the Tigers launched 12 during the second half and put constant pressure on the UD defense.

At the other end of the pitch, junior goalkeeper Thro Hooker stopped four shots while posting his ninth shutout of the season and the 25th of his career.

The Colorado College defense recorded its 11th clean sheet of the year and lowered its team goals-against average to 0.54. Five of those shutouts were in 1-0 victories.

"Once again, the game wasn't the prettiest, but we kept pushing until we found the goal we needed," Palguta said. "Dallas is always a very tough nut to crack, especially on its home field, so we are pleased with a shutout victory."

With its seventh consecutive victory, CC completed the regular season with a 15-2-1 record and a 12-2-0 mark in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. This year marked just the sixth time the Tigers recorded 15 or more victories since the 1992 squad finished with an 18-2-2 record.

By finishing second in the conference table, Colorado College earned a bye for the first round of the SCAC Championship, which begins on Friday, Nov. 4, at Austin College in Sherman, Texas.

Senior goalkeeper Tino Gamueda made six of his eight saves during the second half to keep the hosts in the game.

The Crusaders, who slipped to 7-9-2 overall and 4-8-2 in the conference, earned the final spot in the tournament as the sixth seed.