Despite four goals in the second half by Tony Avery, the Denver Dynamite lost 7-6 to the California Cougars on Saturday at the Bladium in Denver.

Avery scored his fourth goal of the half on a penalty kick with 53.4 seconds left, cutting California's advantage to one goal. The Dynamite then brought in a sixth attacker.

The Denver Dynamite advanced in the U.S. Arena Open Cup tournament on Tuesday night in Highlands Ranch, defeating former teammate Pete Randall and the Colorado Springs Cavaliers 8-4.

The Cavaliers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead and led 2-1 at the end of the first quarter.

The teams continued to trade goals until a Josh Fallin goal with 24 seconds left in the half put the Dynamite up 4-3 at the break.

The Denver Dynamite, playing without player-coach Chris Handsor and Chad Pearson, earned its first win of the PASL-Pro season with a 15-8 victory over in-state rival Fort Collins on Saturday in Denver.

Tony Avery led the Dynamite with four goals, all in the first quarter. The Dynamite jumped out to a 4-0 lead and led 5-2 at the end of the quarter.

The second incarnation of the Mile High Trophy kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Denver Bladium.

The PASL-Pro's two closest teams geographically, the Denver Dynamite and Colorado Lightning, might have been the farthest apart when it comes to matters on the field.

The Lightning aren't around any more, but the Fort Collins Fury is prepared to take its place in the Centennial State derby.

The Denver Dynamite has brought back three-time MISL champion Chris Handsor as player-coach and youth director for the new Dynamite Academy, to be operated in conjunction with the Highlands Ranch Community Association.

John Wells is stepping down as coach for personal reasons after staying with the organization through the summer as the coach of the Dynamite reserves and most of the preseason for the Dynamite.

RMAC defensive player of the week Wally Fink punches the ball away from Fort Lewis striker Euan Purcell. (photo by George Tanner/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Jeff Nelson of the Colorado School of Mines was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference offensive player of the week for games played the weekend of Oct.

Jeff Nelson of the Colorado School of Mines' men's soccer team was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference offensive player of the week.

Nelson, a senior forward from Laramie, scored four goals and tallied two assists to help Mines to a pair of victories last weekend. In Mines' 4-3 win at CSU-Pueblo on Friday, Nelson scored a pair of goals, including the winner, and added an assist.

The Denver Dynamite has announced its Webcast schedule for the 2009-10 season and has introduced Iain Bryant as the voice of the team.

For the first time, the Denver Dynamite Web site will carry a minimum of nine games 2009-10, beginning with the home opener November 14 against the San Diego Sockers at the Bladium in Denver.

The Denver Dynamite's second year in the Professional Arena Soccer League will be marked by change.

The team bounced between venues last year but will play the upcoming season at the Bladium Sports Club.

Joe SaPereira and Mac Howell return as owners but will be joined by Chuck Estrada.