Men’s Soccer shut out by Metro

For the first time since in almost a year, the CSM Men’s Soccer Team was shut-out in a 0-3 loss to the Metro State University this past Friday.

Metro State struck early with forward Scott Grode scoring in the 2nd minute of the match on a quick breakaway after the ball was lofted in behind the CSM defensive line, which was not expecting the long ball over the top. They struck again in the 16th minute when Andrew Meija bent the ball into the net on a well-placed free kick. Metro State had a total of six shots on goal in the first half while the Orediggers had none, but a series of heroic saves by CSM keeper Manville Strand resulted in a halftime score of 0-2 in favor of Metro State.

To start the second half, CSM came out determined to bring this game back under control. Early on it appeared they would do so, but Alex Nass’s shot in the 54th minute went just wide of the goal. In the 62nd minute, a mishandled pass by the CSM defensive line resulted in Metro State’s third and final goal.

The CSM forwards attempted to close the gap in the final minutes with shots from Nass, Sean Ogunmodede, and Tesho Akindele, but none of them were able to reach the back of the net, their shots either going off the posts or missing just wide.

The loss moves the Mines to 9-5-1 and 7-4-1 in RMAC play. Overall, the Orediggers struggled to connect with each other on the offensive end and lacked good communication on the back line, and it cost them this game. They have done fairly well in recent weeks, this being only their second loss in the month of October. They have one more regular season game against Adams St. on October 28th, and then they are on to postseason play.