#5 Mines (13-1-0, 10-0-0) vs. #24 Colorado Mesa (9-1-3, 7-1-2) – Friday, 4 p.m. [Live Stats] [Live Video]
#5 Mines (13-1-0, 10-0-0) vs. Fort Lewis (6-5-2, 4-5-1) – Sunday, 12 p.m. [Live Stats] [Live Video]
 

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WATCH US
Friday's match between Mines and Colorado Mesa was selected as part of the 2018 NCAA Division II Showcase and will be carried by Altitude Sports. Fans can watch the nationally-ranked showdown on Altitude Sports found on channel 725 (Comcast), 681 (DirecTV) and 413 (Dish Network). The contest will also be streamed on Facebook Live at facebook.com/minesathletics and on Twitter at @NCAADII. The game time was moved up an hour to 4 p.m. in order to accommodate the network's broadcast schedule.
 
WHAT'S ON THE LINE
The #5-ranked Colorado School of Mines Men's Soccer team welcomes #24 Colorado Mesa and Fort Lewis to Stermole Stadium this weekend for a pair of RMAC showdowns. Sitting at 13-1-0 overall and 10-0-0 in the conference, Mines needs just two wins this weekend to clinch the RMAC Regular-Season Championship. However, with the Mavericks tied for #24 in the nation and Fort Lewis fighting for a conference tournament berth, the task will be tall.
 
LOOKING BACK
Mines extended its winning streak to 12 games last week with victories over Colorado Christian and MSU Denver. While the Orediggers cruised to a 5-0 win at CCU, the 12th was not as easy. It took overtime and over 94 minutes for Mines to get a 2-1 win at MSU Denver. John Haist scored the game-winning goal in both matches while Tristan Semelsberger, Ford Edwards, Greyson Adams and Ben Overholt contributed goals to the cause as well.
 
WEATHER REPORT
After cold temps, snow and postponements last weekend, fans should be more comfortable in the stands this weekend. Friday holds a forecast of clear skies with a high of 62 degrees. Game-time temp is set for 59 degrees with a light breeze and 33-perecent humidity. Sunday will be similar with a high of 67 degrees, clear skies and wind up to seven miles per hour.
 
SCOUTING COLORADO MESA
Colorado Mesa journeys across the mountains following its first loss of the season, falling 2-0 at home against Westminster. The Mavericks are 9-1-3 overall and 7-1-2 in the RMAC. Mesa boasts one of the biggest offensive threats in the conference in Lawan Abary, second only to Mines' own John Haist. Abary boasts 11 goals and one assist on the season, good enough for #2 in the league in goals and scoring. Briley Guarneri anchors the Mavericks in goal with a record of 8-1-2 with 25 saves and a 1.05 goals-against average.
 
UNBRANDED YOUNGIN'
Formerly known as Mesa State, Colorado Mesa claims the nickname Mavericks for its athletics teams. In the context of CMU, a maverick is defined as an unbranded calf or yearling. However, the term more commonly refers to an unorthodox or independent-minded person. Maverick is also the nickname of Tom Cruise's character in the 1986 film Top Gun, as well as a steel roller coaster and Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. Maverick is also the title of the famous western television show created by Roy Huggins, running from 1957-62, starring James Garner.
 
SCOUTING FORT LEWIS
Fort Lewis started the season unbeaten through its first seven games at 5-0-2. However, FLC's bid for a regular-season title went away after four straight losses in RMAC play. The Skyhawks enter the weekend 6-5-2 overall and 4-5-1 in league action, losing four of their last five matches. They're currently in seventh place in the RMAC standings, on the outside looking in at a conference tournament berth. Bar Hazut leads the Fort Lewis offense with six goals and three assists. However, Ryan Lee is not far behind with five goals and one assist. Ventura Salcido is the man in goal at 6-5-2 with 38 saves and a 1.31 goals-against average. With their backs against the wall, the Skyhawks will prove to be a dangerous opponent for the Orediggers.
 
WHAT'S A SKYHAWK?
Fort Lewis' Skyhawk mascot is not actually an animal, rather the name attached to multiple types of aircraft including Cessna's, attack jets and helicopters. The term is also considered slang for someone who doesn't allow fun, or a stick in the mud.
 
STERMOLE SOCCER STADIUM
Stermole Soccer Stadium, named in honor of Frank and Dot Stermole in the fall of 2014, is located in the heart of the Clear Creek Athletic Complex. Stermole Stadium has an artificial all-weather pitch and seating accommodations for 500 spectators with spectacular views of Golden, North Table Mountain, and the foothills. Hillside grass seating can accomodate hundreds more spectators. Stermole Stadium has hosted several major events, including numerous RMAC and NCAA Tournament games. The United States women's national team trained at Stermole Stadium in April 2014 ahead of their friendly against China at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Denver.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Mines is 17-5-0 in the all-time series against Colorado Mesa and 19-29-8 against Fort Lewis. The Orediggers' most recent win over Mesa came last season in the RMAC Tournament Championship match as Mines won it all, 2-1. The Orediggers also won both 2017 matchups against Fort Lewis. Overall, Mines boasts a combined four-match win streak against both teams.
 
MORE ON MINES VS. MAVERICKS
The Orediggers' 2018 seniors started seeing action in 2015. Since that time, Mines is 4-1 against Colorado Mesa, including two RMAC Tournament Championship matches. The Orediggers went 2-0 against Mesa last season, 0-1 in 2016 and 2-0 in 2015. All of Mines' goals against the Mavericks have come in the second half including three tallies and an assist from John Haist and one header from Jason Zobott. Haist's first goal against the I-70 rival was the game-winner in the RMAC Championship Nov. 8, 2015. The last three matches between the two powerhouses have seen Colorado Mesa ranked #19, #6 and #11.
 
12 STRAIGHT WINS
The #5-ranked Orediggers have won 12 consecutive matches dating back to Sept. 7. It is the second-longest, active win streak in NCAA Division II and third longest in the nation across all divisions. It is also the longest winning streak in program history. As of Oct. 17, only four other programs in Divisions I, II or III have more consecutive wins than the Orediggers. Mines' streak began with a 2-1, double-overtime victory at Cal State Monterey Bay and includes eight shutouts and three overtime matches. The Orediggers have outscored their opponents 34-5 over their 12 straight wins.
 
NO GOALS FOR YOU!
Mines currently ranks #8 in NCAA Division II in shutout percentage and #11 in goals-against average. This is due to the Orediggers' historic shutout streak that spanned eight matches and more than 592 minutes of action. It is the longest shutout streak in program history and was also the longest, active shutout streak in DII before MSU Denver ended the run on Monday. Mines started its stingy streak in the last 13 minutes at CSU-Pueblo and proceeded to record six straight shutouts. MSU Denver's goal Monday in the 40' ended the run at 592:39.
 
RMAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
John Haist and Jason Zobott were named RMAC Players of the Week Tuesday with Haist taking home offensive honors and Zobott claiming defensive distinction. It marks the second weekly award this season for both Orediggers. Haist scored three goals with one assist including two game-winning tallies. Zobott anchored Mines' defense on the way to two wins and one shutout, limiting the opposition to just 18 shots over 195 minutes of action. Only nine of those shots were on goal. Drew Johnson (9/18, 10/9), Ryan Wilson (10/2) and Patrick Allan (9/18) have also earned RMAC weekly honors this season.
 
ELITE ENGLISHMAN
Hailing from Wantage, England, senior striker John Haist has proven himself as one of the top goal scorers the nation. Haist is the active career leader across all divisions of the NCAA in total points (128) and goals (57). Last season, he finished #2 in the nation in goals scored and #1 across all divisions in game-winning goals. In 2018, Haist is #5 in DII in goals scored, #7 in total points and #2 in shots per game. He also leads the RMAC in every offensive statistical category except assists.
 
OVERTIME OPERATORS
The Orediggers are 3-0 in overtime matches in 2018. Mines downed Cal State Monterey Bay on Sept. 7 in the 110th minute, CSU-Pueblo on Sept. 21 in the 95th minute and MSU Denver Oct. 15 in the 95th minute. Golden-goal scorers include Lucas King, Talon Stanley and John Haist with two assists from Ben Overholt. 
 
RECORD BOOK RUNDOWN
Mines' record book will need some updating following the 2018 campaign. The Orediggers' current 12-match win streak is already the longest in program history. Their six-game shutout streak was also the longest program history. Mines also tied for most shots in a single game with 38 at home against Colorado Christian. Individually, John Haist is #2 in career goals, career points, career shots and career game-winning goals. He is also listed on multiple single-season lists. Drew Johnson is tied for the most shutouts in a single season with eight. The goalkeeper's current 0.64 goals-against average is also tied for the lowest in a single season.
 
IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
The Colorado School of Mines Men's Soccer team moved up to #5 in the United Soccer Coaches Division II National Poll and took over the #1 spot in the South Central Region. Mines moved past now #7 Midwestern State and rank ahead of West Texas A&M (#17) out of the South Central Region and Colorado Mesa (#24) out of the RMAC. Statistically, the Orediggers are #1 in DII in shots per game, #3 in win-loss percentage, #4 in shots on goal per game, #8 in shutout percentage and #9 in save percentage.
 
DEPARTMENT-WIDE SUCCESS
As a department, Colorado School of Mines Athletics has seen nearly unheard of success this fall. Mines' fall teams are a combined 51-5-1 in head-to-head play. Those same programs are 39-1-0 in RMAC action. The Orediggers' opposition has featured six nationally-ranked opponents. To cap it off, five of Mines' fall teams are nationally-ranked in the top-10.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Mines hosts South Dakota Mines for Parents Weekend and Senior Night Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. at Stermole Stadium. Live stats and video of the matches will be available at www.MinesAthletics.com.