LAKEWOOD, COLO. --- The South Dakota Mines men's soccer team faced off with a 4-0 Cougar team from Colorado Christian University to open up their two-game Colorado road trip on Friday afternoon.
 
To start the match Colorado Christian had the momentum earning four corner kicks, as well as drawing two fouls in the first ten minutes of the match. South Dakota Mines would press and earn a corner of their own at the 12-minute mark and getting its' first shot of the game from George Martinez just before the 20-minute mark. The Hardrockers would control play for most of the remainder of the first half earning 3 more corners and taking 4 shots. Despite the aggressive play, the two teams would go into the locker room knotted at 0. Regarding the first half, Head Coach Ryan Thompson had the following thoughts, "We came out a little too calm, both teams were very equal through the first half."
 
Once again to start the second half, Colorado Christian was the aggressor, getting chances and eventually converting with the first goal in the 64^th minute to take a 1-0 lead.  South Dakota Mines earned two more corners through the remainder of the match but were not able to tie up the game, falling to 1-4-1 on the season. The Hardrockers came out aggressively after that first goal, Coach Thompson said, "we switched formations, and dominated the attack, but fell short."

Coach Thompson was happy with the effort but is ready to move on to Sunday, stating, "Tough loss today, this game could have went either way, but I'm really proud of the guys for working all 90 minutes, now we have to set our sights on our next game, Sunday afternoon against Adams State."
 
Leaders:
Martinez led the team with four shots….Philip Leano and Martinez each had one shot on goal….Tyler Ring made 5 saves….Colorado Christian outshot the Hardrockers 13 (6) – 8 (2).
 
Looking Ahead
 
On Sept. 26, the Hardrockers have a chance to end their 4-game skid, as they are right back in Lakewood, Colo., taking on Adams State at 1:30 p.m.
 
About South Dakota Mines
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 11 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.