Rapid City, S. D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's soccer team has its home opener against old foe the University of Mary Marauders from Bismarck, N.D.  The Hardrockers have been playing solid team defense over the past two games and look to keep improving as the season progresses.
 
Friday is the first home game of the season for the Rockers. It will be played under the lights at Sioux Park Stadium starting at 6 p.m.(MST). No fee to get in, so come support the SD Mines Men's Soccer team.
 
The Hardrocker soccer team got off to a hot start last weekend in Grand Junction, Colo., winning one game and drawing in the other against two regional opponents. Those two performances earned Hardrocker goalkeeper, Kyle Daledovich, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors as he grabbed 12 saves during those contests.
 
The start of the season brought a new energy to the defensive unit as well for SD Mines. Brett Bender, Ryan Higginbothem, and Lars Skau return to lead the way posting two shutouts in two games, which doubles the shutout total from last year.
 
Also during the 2017 opening weekend, Trenton Magryta and Charles Kieffer tallied their first goals of their careers as Hardrockers (against Lubbock Christian on Sept. 3).
 
University of Mary (1-1 overall) is coming off a crucial win against Colorado Christian University (0-2 overall) in a 1-0 fashion. Mary went head-to-head with the NCAA No. 13 ranked team Simon Fraser and lost 8-0 away to start their season. It was a much needed win for the Marauders who are also seeking their second win of the season at Sioux Park.
 
Tonight's game will be streamed live on Stretchinternet.com vie www.gorockers.com and will feature new camera angels and for the first time ever, commentary and play by play. Be sure to tune in about 15 minutes before game time.