Box Score HOW IT HAPPENED
Nikolaus Grotz scored with 42 seconds left in regulation, then buried a penalty kick 6:31 into overtime to send #8 Colorado School of Mines to the NCAA Elite Eight in a stunning 4-3 comeback win at #2 Midwestern State.
Mines trailed 3-1 with 10 minutes to go, but John Haist's header at 81:55 and Grotz's 20-yard golazo in the final minute sent the game to extra time. Haist was pulled down in the box in overtime, and Grotz left no doubt from the spot to earn the program's first South Central Region championship.
Mines now plays #17 Cal Poly Pomona Sunday at noon MST, at Midwestern State, for the right to advance to the Final Four
In a battle of unbeaten teams, the Orediggers (18-0-3) spotted the Mustangs (17-1-1) a 2-0 lead in the first half despite outshooting them early. Christian Okeke put a foot to Juan Farres' cross in the fourth minute for a quick lead, and Flavio Guzman converted Laurence Chamberlain's cross in the 35th minute to make it 2-0.
A mistake by the Mustangs put Mines back into it, however, when an own goal at 43:27 gave the Orediggers new life before halftime. A straight red card to Call Casarez at 49:06 reduced the Mustangs to 10 men, but Mines couldn't capitalize and Midwestern stole a goal back on Albert Rodriguez's chip to seemingly seal it up 12 minutes from time.
The Orediggers had other ideas.
John Haist started the rally with a shot from the middle of the box at 81:55, cutting the game to 3-2, and desperation mode paid off for Mines in the final minute. Jared Herselman took a last-gasp corner that rebounded out and fell to Grotz in acres of space; the sophomore tucked a superb dropping shot under the crossbar to level it 42 seconds from time.
The overtime was all Mines as they took the only two shots before Haist was pulled down in the box 6:31 in. Grotz was ice-cold on the conversion, sending the Orediggers to the Elite Eight.
NOTABLES
- Mines has won three overtime games this season on a penalty kick by Grotz, and all on the road. Mines also beat Regis and CSU-Pueblo in extra time.
- Grotz's goals take him to 11 for the season, including now five from the spot. He has a team-leading 36 points.
- Haist's goal was his 11th, adding to an impressive total for the freshman.
- It will be Mines' first-ever trip to the NCAA Elite Eight. They are one of two unbeaten teams left in the nation along with #1 Pfeiffer.
- Mines has not played Cal Poly Pomona since 1997. The Orediggers are 1-2-0 against the Broncos.
- The win was deserved for Mines, who outshot MSU 24-13 including 13-9 in the second half and 3-0 in overtime. The Orediggers also led 8-3 on corners.
- A physical game saw MSU compiled 17 fouls to Mines' nine; the Mustangs also had four yellow cards, the red in the second half, and two post-game red cards.
