DENVER – The #9-ranked Colorado School of Mines Men's Soccer team ground its way to victory Monday night as the Orediggers took down MSU Denver 2-1 in overtime at Regency Athletic Complex, marking Mines' 12th consecutive win.
 
The Orediggers used an all-around team effort that put John Haist in position to be the hero as he scored the game-winning goal and notched an assist in the victory. Ben Overholt was responsible for the assist on Haist's golden goal and Tristan Semelsberger notched the game-tying tally to round out the scoring. Goalkeeper Drew Johnson earned the 13th win of his career behind five saves over 94 minutes.
 
As a team, Mines (13-1-0, 10-0-0 RMAC) racked up 28 shots compared to MSU Denver's 12 attempts. The Orediggers also put 16 shots on goal while the Roadrunners (7-7-0, 6-4-0 RMAC) managed just six attempts on frame. The victory gives Mines a regular-season sweep over MSUD after the Orediggers defeated the Roadrunners 2-0 at Stermole Stadium on Sept. 28.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
With the sun setting over the Front Range to the west of the Regency Athletic Complex, Mines opened the match dominating possession and shots with three attempts in the first five minutes of play. The Orediggers carried this momentum through the first 39 minutes of the match.
 
However, at 39:47 MSU Denver struck thanks to the foot of Bryan Amouyal. A pass into the box was not cleared and Amouyal took advantage to give the Roadrunners a 1-0 lead and end Mines' shutout streak at over 490 minutes.
 
Mines fired back with two more shots before halftime including a heading attempt from Jason Zobott that nearly equalized the match. Unfortunately for the Orediggers MSUD goalkeeper James Tanner was there for the save and kept the home-team lead headed into the break.
 
The second half was also all Mines. The Orediggers came out of the locker room and racked up four shots on goal in the first 15 minutes of the second period. Mines' pressure continued through the period as it added nine more shots with eight on goal.
 
It was Tristan Semelsberger's header in the 86' that proved to be the most critical attempt. With time ticking down, Haist dribbled the ball to the end line then cut towards the net. Instead of attempting the shot himself, the senior chipped a pass through the defense to the diving head of Semelsberger to equalize the match, 1-1.
 
With momentum on the visitor's side, MSU Denver could not manage a shot in the final five minutes of regulation. That swing carried into overtime as Mines wasted no time breaking off another shot as Overholt forced another save just two minutes into the period. Two minutes and four seconds later, Overholt made another run, but this time he passed the ball to a waiting Haist who lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper's head and slipped it inside the far left post for the game-winner.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is 32-20-5 in the all-time series against MSU Denver.
- The Orediggers six-game shutout streak was the longest in program history, ending after 592:39.
- Mines' 12 consecutive wins mark the longest winning streak in program history.
- The Orediggers can clinch the RMAC Regular-Season crown with two wins next weekend.
- Mines is 3-0 in overtime matches in 2018.
- Haist's nine shots against MSU Denver are a career high for the senior.
- Haist has five game-winning goals this season and 17 in his career.
- Semelsberger goal Monday marks his third of the season.
- Overholt has five assists in 2018 and 10 in his career.
- Head coach Greg Mulholland is now 30-5-1 in two seasons at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines hosts Colorado Mesa Friday at 4 p.m. at Stermole Stadium. The match will air on Altitude Sports, Facebook and Twitter with live stats at www.MinesAthletics.com.
 
Keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.