RAPID CITY, SD – South Dakota Mines Soccer picked up two wins over the weekend to remain undefeated through seven games.
Game 1: Hardrockers at Adams State, 4-2 W
In a non-conference matchup with Adams State, South Dakota Mines won 4-2 over the Grizzlies.
The Hardrockers got out to a hot start with two goals in the first six and a half minutes. In the second minute,
Nickolas North had a shot saved by Joshua Kropf.
Even Henriksen set up North in the fourth minute to give the Hardrockers a 1-0 lead. Just three minutes later,
Jacob Miklas made it 2-0 with a goal assisted by
Alvin Udoto.
Parker Yocom had a shot saved in the 28
th minute. In the 42
nd minute, Yocom scored his third goal of the season to give the Hardrockers a 3-0 lead at halftime.
To start the second half,
Ethan French scored to extend the lead to 4-0 in the 50
th minute. Adams State scored two goals late in the half but it was not enough as the Hardrockers won 4-2.
Yocom led the team with four shots, two shots on goal and one goal scored in 55 minutes off the bench. North totaled three shots, two shots on goal and a game-winning goal. Udoto and French both scored for the Hardrockers. In the net,
Abdo Salem Abdullah made three saves to earn the win.
This win gave the Hardrockers their first win against the Grizzlies since the 2023 season.
Game 2: Hardrockers vs. Colorado Mesa, 4-0 W
With just one off day, South Dakota Mines topped Colorado Mesa 4-0 at Dakota Fields to close out non-conference play.
Both teams remained scoreless in the first half. Abdullah picked up two saves for the Hardrockers. North had the only shot for South Dakota Mines in the half.
In the second half, the Hardrockers flipped the script. North set up Udoto with a goal to make the score 1-0 in the 51
st minute. Not even a minute later, Henriksen served up a corner to
Zach Peroff, who put in his first goal of the season with a header.
In the 59
th minute, Yocom passed the ball to
Julen Arteaga who scored and increased the lead to 3-0.
Rider Grow set up
Rawley Ford to finalize the score at 4-0 in the 81
st minute.
Abdullah recorded a clean sheet for the Hardrockers with no goals allowed and seven saves made. For the third straight game, the Hardrockers had four different goal scorers to guide them to wins.
With the win, the Hardrockers picked up their first victory over Colorado Mesa in program history.
The Hardrockers are off to their best start in program history with a 5-0-2 overall record. They set a new program record in wins on Sunday. With non-conference play concluded, they are also at the top of the RMAC standings and on a three game winning streak, tied for the most in the RMAC. Their 29 goals scored is also the most in the conference. South Dakota Mines and CSU Pueblo are the only two RMAC teams without a loss this season.
What's Next
RMAC play kicks off this week at Colorado School of Mines on Friday at 7 p.m. The Hardrockers begin a three-game homestand on Oct. 5 against Regis at 1 p.m.
