RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines soccer team played the first of a two-game home series against St. Cloud State University on Friday night and came away with the victory.

In the first half, the Hardrockers started a bit sluggish with St. Cloud State controlling much of the play, scoring early. In the 7th minute, St. Cloud State scored first, on a goal by Zinedine Kroeten, assisted by Emmanuel Iwe. The remainder of the first half was not much better for the Hardrockers, who struggled to possess the ball or create many chances and would go into the locker room down 1-0.

The second half was a different story, however as South Dakota Mines came out of the gates with a sense of urgency and with more crisp balls, as well as touches. It started early for the Hardrockers, earning a corner kick in the 51st minute, then having the offside flag up on a potential chance. South Dakota Mines would create more opportunities, first on shots, Phillip Leano, and Logan Juergens, before a corner resulted in the game-tying goal being put into the back of the net by George Martinez. The Hardrockers would continue to put on the pressure, with another shot from Martinez, before a foul resulted in a free-kick opportunity for Leano. He didn't miss the opportunity, connecting with the ball perfectly to find the bottom left corner of the goal just out of the keepers reach to give South Dakota Mines a 2-1 lead in the 70th minute. Following this, the Hardrockers would tighten up defensively, not allowing any dangerous opportunities for St. Cloud State to tie up the game, and would close out the home opener with a 2-1 win.