Orediggers shut out Metro State 1-0

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The Oredigger Men’s Soccer team was looking for their fourth straight victory Friday night as they hosted cross town rival Metro State. Led by strong defense and impressive goalkeeping, the Orediggers earned that fourth straight win with a 1-0 victory, improving their record to 4-1-2 on the year and 1-0-2 in the RMAC. The highlight of the night came in the 18th minute when freshman Joe Haines scored the lone goal of the game and his first career goal as an Oredigger.

Haines’ goal was set up by senior Alex Nass as Nass blasted a free kick towards the goal. The rebound found sophomore Tanner McManus who quickly passed it to Haines. Haines put the ball just past the diving goalkeeper to give Mines the 1-0 advantage. The remainder of the half saw chances by both teams, but both goalies made some impressive saves to keep the score 1-0 heading into the half.

In the second half, the Roadrunners started to push the pace and as a result, earned four more corner kicks and four more second half shots (10-6) than the Orediggers. However, none of those shots found their desired target as senior goalkeeper Manville Strand made some key saves. Mines would respond and both teams would have their chances, but none closer than when junior Forward Tesho Akindele’s goal was disregarded thanks to a questionable offside call in the last quarter of the second half.

The game was a defensive struggle throughout, getting chippy at times as the teams were called for a total of 22 fouls. With the back and forth play of the second half, both defenses spent much time on their heels. The Orediggers recorded a total of 13 shots to Metro State’s 17, but thanks to outstanding defense, and superb goaltending by Strand, who recorded four saves on the night, Mines survived being outshot to record their first win of the conference season.

The Orediggers continue their season Friday, September 28 against 1-4 UCCS at Moutain Lion Stadium in Colorado Springs.