Box Score How It Happened
Behind the incredible game between the posts from junior Collin Hall, #8 Colorado School of Mines (10-0-2, 8-0-1) men's soccer clinches a share of the RMAC Regular Season Championship with a 1-1 draw at Fort Lewis College (9-3-1, 5-1-1) on Friday, October 16.
Hall, affectionately known as "Cowboy" for his Texas roots, made eight incredible saves to turn back a dangerous Skyhawk attack, which gave the Orediggers its first regular season conference championship since 2010.
The first half started as very much a defensive battle as both teams traded possession around the midfield for the first 20 minutes or so. The first really dangerous attempt by either team was the Skyhawks' Raul Pescador who got a 1v1 situation with Collin Hall, but Hall made an incredible save from his back to turn back the attempt and keep the game scoreless.
After that, the game picked up as both teams ventured further into the other teams final third. Sophomore Nikolaus Grotz and senior Jared Herselman look very dangerous on set pieces during the final 15 minutes of the half. Mines went on to outshoot FLC 9-6 and 7-4 on shots on goal at the half.
After Mines seemingly had taken control of the game in the second half, Fort Lewis broke the scoreless affair when Laurin Weiland drilled a goal into the top left corner of the net from outside the box in the 63rd minute. Weiland got the opportunity after he picked up a turnover at midfield and drove down the center of the pitch.
Fort Lewis appeared as though it would have a second goal when it got a two-on-one advantage on the counter attack at the 75:24 mark. Austin Derksen got in the box and had only Mines keeper Collin Hall to beat, but for the second time in the contest Hall made a miraculous save to keep the Skyhawks at bay.
Those great saves by Hall allowed Mines to finally equalize the game at 79:58 when, off a long throw, Jackson Shelledy served up a ball that found the head of Ryan Leach for the equalizer that gave Mines a piece of the RMAC Championship.
Notables
- As mentioned, the draw gives Mines 25 points which gives them a piece of the RMAC Regular Season Champion. The Orediggers now only need a point at Adams State on Sunday to win the title outright.
- Collin Hall's eight saves are the most his had save this season. His previous high was three against Rollins which was the first game of the season.
- Ryan Leach's goal was his fifth of the season which puts him third overall on the team and a tie for fifth in the RMAC.
Up Next
Mines now heads to Adams State this Sunday, October 18 only needing a point to win the RMAC Championship outright. Kickoff for that game is at 1 p.m.
