Box Score How It Happened
Behind sophomore Nikolaus Grotz' first career hat trick, the eighth-ranked Colorado School of Mines (15-0-3) cruised to a 6-2 win over Fort Lewis (11-6-2) in the semifinals of the RMAC Men's Soccer Tournament at Stermole Stadium on Friday, November 6.
After a pair of low scoring meetings in the regular season, the Orediggers exploded for six goals to advance to the RMAC Championship this Sunday at 2:30 p.m. against either Colorado Mesa or CSU-Pueblo.
Over a five-minute period starting at 24:58, Mines and Fort Lewis and traded a total of five goals in rapid succession. Grotz got the scoring started when he banged senior Andres Ramirez' assist off the post and in. After a FLC goal, sophomore Ryan Blarr scored his goal of the season when sent home a feed from sophomore Bryce Townsend in the 28'. Mines then pushed its lead to 3-1 when senior Richard Garvey booted home a headed assist from junior David Boldt a minute and 10 seconds later.
Fort Lewis closed the gap to in 3-2 in the 31' when Tamino Kroeger knocked in a rocket from 20 yards out, but seven minutes later senior Joe Haines gave Mines a 4-2 halftime advantage when he got the rebound off a Grotz free kick and rocketed it home.
Grotz put the game out of reach in the second half with a pair of goals in the 48' and 60' to complete his hat trick. The first goal came when Haines sent a centering cross into the box and Grotz spun around the defender in hip pocket and into the back of the net. His third and final goal came after senior Chayce Moniz laid out headed to Grotz at the far post.
From there, Mines controlled the game and cruised to an RMAC Tournament Championship appearance.
Notables
- Mines now reaches the RMAC Tournament Championship for the second consecutive season and for the fourth time this decade. In CSM's last three appearances to the championship match (2010, 2012, 2014) they came away with the cup.
- Mines outshot Fort Lewis 21-14 and 9-3 on corner kicks.
- Nikolaus Grotz' hat trick was his first of the season and he was the third different Mines player to accomplish the feat. Freshman John Haist did so on September 19 against CSU-Pueblo and Richard Garvey reached the feat on October 9 against Westminster.
- Ryan Blarr's goal was his first of the season and his first since last season.
- Joe Haines' goal was his fourth of the season and his first since October 4 at S.D. Mines.
- While giving two goals (one by PK), senior keeper Collin Hall made eight saves on the afternoon.
Up Next
Mines will now advance to the RMAC Championship this coming Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
