DENVER – The Colorado School of Mines Men's Soccer team visited MSU Denver on Sunday afternoon and departed with another point in the RMAC standings courtesy of a 1-1 draw at the Regency Athletic Complex.
 
Ford Edwards and Lucas King teamed up for the critical score. Edwards notched the goal and King earned the assist. Additionally, Edwards finished the game with nine shots, just one shy of tying the Orediggers' single-game record for attempts. Ben Overholt added three shots of his own to the box score while Ryan Wilson Michael Sprauer, Connor van Loveren, Ian Kugler and Tristan Semelsberger all recorded multiple shots as well. In net, Drew Johnson (7-2-1) made four saves and surrendered just one goal to the Roadrunners.
 
As a team, Mines (7-2-1, 5-0-1 RMAC) dominated nearly every statistical category. The most significant margin was shot opportunities which the Orediggers owned, 26-11. Mines also worked five corner-kick opportunities and only gave up one to MSU Denver. In total, six yellow cards were issued with three going to each team. A draw between Colorado Mesa and Westminster on Sunday afternoon benefited the Orediggers as well. That 1-1 decision in Grand Junction, Colo., keeps Mines atop the conference standings with a two-point margin over Colorado Mesa.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Pure azure skies framed Denver's downtown skyline with temperatures in the 60's and the slightest breeze setting the stage for the showdown between the Orediggers and Roadrunners. Former Mines assistant coach Hank Lewis at the helm of MSU Denver added a little extra spice to the Sunday casserole as well.
 
Despite being the Roadrunner's guests, the Orediggers were not bashful in attacking the goal early and often. In less than 20 minutes of action, Mines had racked up five shots. It was the fifth shot in that span which struck gold for Mines. A throw-in from King found the feet of Edwards who touched the ball along the top of the penalty area and struck a hard, low attempt to the left side of the frame for a 1-0, Oredigger lead. Mines continued to be aggressive in its attacking third, finishing the first half with 11 attempts. However, none of those would find the net.
 
The second period proved relatively uneventful until the final 10 minutes. In the 83rd minute, MSU Denver found the equalizer on a ball crossed from left to right before a settling touch led to the game-tying shot from 13 yards out. With the score tied, 1-1, the home team staved off an onslaught of Oredigger attempts to send the match into overtime. The bonus periods were highlighted by two set pieces for Mines that resulted in a pair of attempts at scoring the golden goal out of the air. But it was to no avail as 110 minutes of action came to a close with the score still tied.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is 32-20-6 in the all-time series against MSU Denver. The last time the Orediggers and Roadrunners met, it was an overtime affair as well that resulted in a 2-1 victory for Mines.
- The Orediggers' streak without a loss in conference action now sits at 30 matches which ranks #6 all-time across all of NCAA Division II. It is also DII's longest active streak without a conference loss.
- Edwards' goal on Sunday afternoon was his third of the season which is the second-most on the team. The senior now has nine goals in his career.
- Edwards' nine shots against MSU Denver mark a single-game, career high for the senior.
- King moved up to six assists on the season which leads the team and ranks #1 in the RMAC.
- Sunday's match snapped the Orediggers' five-match winning streak and four-match shutout run.
- Head coach Greg Mulholland is now 42-8-3 in three seasons at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers return to the pitch on Friday in Utah as they take on Westminster at 1:30 p.m. in Salt Lake City. Live stats and video of the match will be available at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.