DENVER, Colo. – Two Oredigger freshmen and a sophomore won the day for the Colorado School of Mines Men's Soccer team as the Orediggers earned a 4-0, non-RMAC victory at MSU Denver.
 
True freshman Gabe Rodriguez led the way with two goals on three shots. Fellow freshman John Burnett also found the back of the net as he put both of his attempts on frame. Sophomore Zane Sokolowski needed just one shot to score one goal in 19 minutes of action. Azad Iliozer, Lucas King and Michael Sprauer accounted for the assists. In total, 10 different Orediggers registered at least one shot attempt. Defensively, Brian Doherty (3-1-0) started and played all 90 minutes in goal. He needed just one save to earn the shutout and the win.
 
Mines (5-3-0) dominated MSU Denver (3-4-1) by taking 16 shots with 10 on goal. The Orediggers' defense allowed just one attempt from the Roadrunners. Additionally, Mines produced six corner-kick opportunities and held MSU Denver to zero. One highlight for the Roadrunners was six saves from starting goalkeeper Ross Miller. Only two yellow cards were issued in the match with one going to each team.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Sunny, cerulean skies welcomed Mines to the Assembly Athletic Complex in downtown Denver on Sunday as the Broncos prepared for their 2021 home opener less than two miles away. With Friday's 2-1 loss to CSU Pueblo still fresh in their minds, the Orediggers took the field with a mission and projected all of their frustration onto the Roadrunners.
 
The first 45 minutes was comprehensive for the visitors. Burnett struck first in the 12th minute thanks to a crossing pass from Iliozer into the MSU Denver box. Sokolowski made it 2-0 for the Orediggers in the 33rd after cleaning up a scrum in the goal mouth with King accounting for that assist. Just over five minutes later, Sprauer found Rodriguez in the middle of the field. The freshman played through heavy contact and hammered a low, bouncing shot to the back of the net from more than 20 yards out. Mines' defense made the first-half effort complete by holding the Roadrunners to zero shots.
 
Having expelled most of their angst in the opening period, the Orediggers settled in for a comparatively uneventful second half. MSU Denver did manage its lone shot of the game which went on goal as well. Doherty handled it with no issues. Then, Rodriguez struck again in the 71st minute. The freshman made a driving run with ball from the top of the 18-yard line, touched around the goalkeeper and through contact before hammering a low-angle shot to the back of the net. There was no action of consequence through the final 19 minutes as Mines closed out its non-conference schedule in convincing fashion.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines improved to 34-20-6 against MSU Denver in the Orediggers' NCAA era.
- Sunday was the first time Mines and MSU Denver played since Oct. 18, 2019.
- Mines hasn't lost to the Roadrunners since Oct. 1, 2017.
- Rodriguez became the first Oredigger with multiple goals in one game this fall. He has three on the season and ranks second on the team.
- Burnett and Sokolowski now have two goals apiece this fall.
- King continues to lead the team in assists as he moved to six on the year. Iliozer's helper was his third of the season and Sprauer notched his first.
- Mines now boasts two shutouts on the year.
- Sunday marked the Orediggers' biggest offensive output since scoring four goals against #10 Colorado Mesa in the RMAC Tournament Championship match last spring.
- Head Coach Greg Mulholland now holds a career record of 61-13-7 as the skipper at Mines.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers begin RMAC play next Friday at Adams State. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.  Live stats and video will be offered at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines men's soccer on Twitter at @MinesMSOC. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.