RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The Hardrocker soccer team has a split week, facing familiar RMAC foes but in non-conference matchups as they take on MSU Denver at home on Friday afternoon and Adams State in Alamosa on Sunday.
The Hardrockers are looking to build open their most recent performance, picking up a 1-0 victory on Saturday over Eastern New Mexico.
GAME INFORMATION
MSU Denver
Date/Time: Sept. 22 / 1:00 p.m.
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Stadium: Dakota Fields
Series Overall: MSU Denver leads 13-1.
Streak: MSU Denver Won 10
Series at South Dakota Mines: MSU Denver leads 7-0.
Streak at South Dakota Mines: MSU Denver Won 7
Last Meeting: MSU Denver won in Rapid City, 2-0 (9/25/2022).
Watch Live: RMAC Network | www.rmacsports.com/sdmines
Adams State
Date/Time: Sept. 24 / 10:00 a.m.
Site: Alamosa, Colo.
Stadium: ASU Soccer Field
Series Overall: Adams State leads 5-1-4
Streak: Tied Twice
Series at Adams State: Adams State leads 2-0-2.
Streak at Adams State: Tied Twice.
Last Meeting: Tied in Alamosa, 1-1 (10/21/2022).
Watch Live: RMAC Network |
www.rmacsports.com/sdmines
CAPTAINS SLEEVE
The Hardrocker captains are
Hayden Jaramillo, who returns as a captain from 2022, and senior
Garrett Cole. Jaramillo has been a fixture in the starting lineup for each of his three years, playing in 40 games and starting in 32. Jaramillo set the school single-season record for assists in 2022 and is two back of the career record. Cole has been a similar fixture since 2020, starting in 36 games and playing in 40. Jaramillo has yet to find an assist this year but has found the back of the net for a goal.
BEATING THE GOALKEEPER
The South Dakota Mines offense hasn't been its best in all matches this season, scoring four goals in their six matches, however,
Chase Stohlmann was able to find the net in the most recent matchup, giving the Hardrockers a 1-0 victory with his first collegiate goal.
DEFENSIVE PROWESS
The back line of the Hardrockers has played well for most of the year so far, and that starts with two freshman centerbacks in
Rider Grow and
Zach Peroff. Both have played admirably and are joined in the back by solid wingbacks in
Aydon Ellis and
Jacob Miklas.
CLEAN SHEET
Daniel Freitas was up to the task on Saturday against Eastern New Mexico, recording his first collegiate clean sheet, allowing zero goals on 18 shots and 7 on goal, recording 7 saves.
SCOUTING MSU DENVER
MSU Denver has struggled a bit to start the season, sitting with a 1-3-2 record, but they have faced some stiff competition in Lubbock Christian, Midwestern State, Cal State Monterey Bay, and San Francisco State.
Their defense has not been their strong point, as they are tied with the Hardrockers for most goals allowed in the RMAC thus far with 14, however, they have been able to find the back of the net as well, scoring 15 times, second-best in the RMAC.
Adan Perez and Aaron Biggerstaff were two of the catalysts from the 2022 season which saw MSU Denver win 10 games. Both return for the Roadrunners.
SCOUTING ADAMS STATE
The Grizzlies are currently winless, starting the season 0-4, falling to Eastern New Mexico, Lubbock Christian, Oklahoma Panhandle State, and West Texas A&M.
Adams State was selected 10th in the RMAC preseason poll after finishing 2022 with an overall record of 1-15-2 and a conference record of 1-8-1.
Of their six goal scorers from 2022, five of them are on the roster, returning in 2023.
Zach Carr and Charles Manthe also return in net for the Grizzlies from 2022.
The Grizzlies have struggled offensively and defensively thus far, scoring the least goals in the conference and allowing the second-most.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following the weekend of play, the Hardrockers begin RMAC play on Friday, Sept. 29, and Sunday, Oct. 1 as they hit the road to take on Westminster and Colorado Mesa.
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.
