RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's soccer team fell short of winning its opening game of the 2019 season as the Texas A&M International Dustdevils survived a tough and challenging Hardrocker squad to defeat the home team, 2-1, Friday morning on the pitch at Sioux Park Stadium in Rapid City, S.D.

Dustdevil Ruben Nielsen proved to be a pain in the side of the Hardrockers as he was credited with both goals for his team. The first came on a penalty kick at the 9:04 mark of the first half and then followed that with a goal in the 20^th minute of the first half off an assist from Keanu Born.

The Hardrockers were able to regroup at the end of first period when George Martinez made good on a free kick with just 39 ticks remaining finding the top left corner of the net and the team went into halftime down by just one goal, 2-1.

Unfortunately for the home team, that score would hold through over the final 45 minutes as Texas A&M was able to stave off an SD Mines rally.

SD Mines finished with nine total shots, five on goal while the visitors tallied 22 total shots, nine on goal.

The 'Rockers were paced by Martinez with two shots on goal and a score while Brenden Sherwin, Jonathan Ordaz and Travis Sherwin notched one shot on goal. Sterling McKenzie (2), Alexander Crowson also had a shot in the game.

Riley Dunne played all 90 minutes in goal and suffered the loss giving up two goals but did come away with seven saves on the day.