RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines men's soccer team begins its season on Friday as they head to MSU Billings before they open up their home season against Dakota Wesleyan on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
Returners:
Starting with the goalkeepers, the Hardrockers bring back three goalies who were with the team last year,
Avery Warren,
Kole Villescas, and
Daniel Freitas. Warren has not seen much playing time throughout his career, but Villescas started four games in goal in 2022, while Freitas started 14, making 77 saves.
In the defense, the Hardrockers bring back,
Aydon Ellis,
Cody Collier,
Jacob Miklas,
Trent Ripley, and
Gabe Ripperda.
In the midfield, the Hardrockers bring back senior,
Britton Carver,
Bergen Loveless,
Hayden Jaramillo,
Rayane Mesmoudi, and
Garrett Cole.
Carver saw action in 13 matches in 2022, while Loveless saw action in 18, starting four. Mesmoudi also played in four. Cole and Jaramillo are the 2023 captains with Jaramillo stepping into his second year as captain. Both have been significant contributors throughout their time as Hardrockers.
Cole has played in 40 games, starting 36 of them over his past three years, while Jaramillo has played in 40 games, starting 33 of them.
Jaramillo is one of the best midfielders in program history, setting the single-season record for assists in 2022, and is currently #1 all-time in assists per game and #2 in total assists.
Returning forwards are upperclassmen,
Jeff Wacker,
Gage Espanet, and
Gavin Haggerty, while sophomores,
Chase Stohlmann,
Ryan Blankenship, and
Jayden Roque return.
Newcomers:
In goal, the Hardrockers bring in
Brayden Hayes from Bayport, Minnesota. The Stillwater Area high school product helped lead them to a state tournament and won the Minnesota State Cup Championship.
Zach Peroff,
Colton Clay,
Rider Grow,
Lucas Heiland,
Kaden Sullivan,
Nathan Guckes and
Jonny Hoesch Jr. are new defensive players, hoping to shore up the back line.
In the midfield,
Dominic Delka and
Mateo Clagg come in from Colorado hoping to make an immediate impact.
Parker Yocom,
Aidan Bolduc,
Trace Ho-Tran,
Ryan Gaughan, and
Will Mauritsen hope to be able to help the Hardrockers find the net on a consistent basis.
Friday night at MSU Billings will be a good test for the Hardrockers as MSU Billings has had their number. MSU Billings has a 10-0-1 advantage in the series, and in the matchups the last two years has outscored South Dakota Mines 9-3.
On Sunday, the Hardrockers host Dakota Wesleyan at Dakota Fields for their first home matchup of the year, a team that the 'Rockers defeated 4-1 last season in Mitchell, S.D.
All home matches at Dakota Fields are free to attend. Below is a video interview featuring head coach
Bill Schaefer and captain of the soccer team,
Hayden Jaramillo.
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 13 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.
