GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's soccer team continues to make strides in NCAA Div. II competition. The Hardrockers took another step forward Friday in the first game of the 2017 season after tying with Newman University (Kan.), 0-0, during the Colorado Mesa Tournament in Grand Junction, Colo.
"It's really exciting to start off the season with a clean sheet," said first-year Hardrocker men's soccer head coach Andrew Conniff. "We've worked on being organized defensively since Day 1 and the boys really limited Newman to a few good chances."
 
The Hardrockers and Jets finished regulation scoreless and both sides had opportunities in two overtimes before calling it a draw.
 
Newman came into the season with a stacked resume, finishing the last three years with double-digit victories and earning post-season berths to the Heartland Conference. SD Mines also had some momentum heading into the 2017 campaign after the 'Rockers closed out last year with a 0-0 tie against the 2016 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Regular Season Champions -- Colorado Mesa.
 
Looking at the stats from Friday's game, The Hardrockers finished with six shots while Newman tallied eight. SDSMT Freshman Sterling McKenzie ended the game with two shots, while seniors Brandon Lind, David Pineda, Brett Bender and Charles Keifer all had one shot.
 
SD Mines junior Kyle Daledovich played all 110 minutes in goal and notched six saves.
 
"Offensively we were so close to finding that goal," Conniff said. "We started the second half with three freshmen in attacking roles and had a really good run from them."
 
The Hardrockers will conclude the Colorado Mesa Tournament Sunday taking on Lubbock Christian University in a 11:30 a.m. meeting.