Mines Holds Off Surging Mountain Lions, 3-2

September 28, 2014

Mines Holds Off Surging Mountain Lions, 3-2
GOLDEN – Clinging to a late three-goal lead, Colorado School of Mines men's soccer withstood a furious rally by Colorado Colorado Springs over the final minutes Sunday to win its home-opener at CSM Soccer Stadium, 3-2.

Following a scoreless initial 45:00 that resulted in only two combined shots on goal, Mines (5-3, 3-1 RMAC) was the beneficiary of an own goal by UCCS 1:45 into the second frame.

A smooth sequence of touches by junior Joe Haines and redshirt freshman Ryan Blarr resulted in the first collegiate score by freshman Nikolaus Grotz from six yards to the bottom, right-90 at 59:50.

Less than 20 minutes passed, senior Matthew Alemann chipped a through ball to Blarr, who on the break, headed down the touch at the penalty area arc and laced his first by the charging keeper with 12:59 to play.

Unwilling to go quietly, the Mountain Lions (2-5-1, 1-3 RMAC) countered 16 seconds later as James Roberts converted at the penalty stripe.

UCCS continued on the offensive with two corners and four shots over the ensuing 9:51, eventually trimming the deficit to the final margin at 89:58 via a deflected, 21-yard strike through traffic by Sebastian Hertzberg.

Supported by the closing surge, the Mountain Lions finished plus-two in shots (14-12) and corner tries (7-5), while Mines had a 7-3 advantage in on-frame looks.

Grotz directed both of his attempts on target; Blarr, juniors Ryan Leach and Richard Garvey, and freshman Bryce Townsend each recorded one.

Making his first start along the endline, freshman Josh Clark earned the decision in goal with one save in full time.

The Orediggers remain home Friday, Oct. 3, hosting Colorado State-Pueblo at 7 p.m. in Golden.