RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's soccer team has been charting unfamiliar waters to start the 2017 season –  but the Hardrockers haven't had any trouble navigating the dark seas and continue to have the ship headed in the right direction.

The Hardrockers defeated Colorado Christian University, 5-1, Friday night at  Sioux Park Stadium in Rapid City, S.D., to open Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play and improve their overall record to 2-0-2 on the year (1-0 in the RMAC) – their best start in the history of the program.  

"It's a sort of shell-shocked excitement after a result like that," said Hardrocker men's soccer head coach Andrew Conniff. "I am incredibly impressed with the boys tonight. From their work rate to their ability on the ball --- everything was near perfect."
 
SD Mines sophomore Justin Barkow had an outstanding performance notching his first hat-trick as a Hardrocker Friday. The Longmont, Colo., native notched two goals in the first half (10:56, 28:40) and then added his third score just a minute into the second half.
 
Barkow's first and third goals came on assists from junior Noah McKenzie, while the second was the result of a penalty kick after a hand-ball violation on the Cougars.
 
Noah Mckenzie also contributed with a goal Friday, finding the back of the net in the 57^th minute off an assist from his younger brother, freshman Sterling McKenzie.
 
Senior Charles Kieffer also got in on the scoring, after receiving an assist from senior David Pineda to score at the 67:33 mark.
 
Looking at the statistics, the Hardrockers were the aggressors all night, recording 14 shots, nine were shots on goal. CCU was held in check for most of the game, recording only six shots, two on goal.
 
Hardrocker junior Kyle Daledovich played all 90 minutes in goal notching one save on the night to earn the win.
 
"I think this win confirms our own beliefs of what we are capable of," Conniff said. "It was incredible for Justin to get a hat-trick and we had standout performances from our seniors."
 
The 'Rockers will next take on MSU Denver Sunday at 11 a.m. at Sioux Park Stadium. After splitting with the Roadrunners a year ago, the visitors (0-5 on the season) will be a good challenge for SD Mines.