#16 Mines (9-1-0, 6-0-0) vs. Dixie State (3-6-1, 1-4-1) – Friday, 5 p.m. [Live Stats] [Live Video]
#16 Mines (9-1-0, 6-0-0) vs. Westminster (8-1-1, 4-1-1) – Sunday, 11 a.m. [Live Stats] [Live Video]
 

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UTAH COMES TO COLORADO
The #16-ranked Colorado School of Mines Men's Soccer team plays on its home turf for the second straight weekend as it welcomes the RMAC's two teams from Utah to Stermole Stadium Friday and Sunday. The Dixie State Trailblazers roll into Golden Friday for a 5 p.m. match at 3-6-1 overall and 1-4-1 in RMAC play. Westminster comes to Stermole Stadium Sunday for an 11 a.m. showdown boasting just one loss on the season and in RMAC play at 8-1-1 overall and 4-1-1 in the league.
 
HOMECOMING 2018
Mines celebrated its 2018 Homecoming with a pair of victories as it extended its winning streak to eight consecutive matches. The Orediggers defeated crosstown rival MSU Denver Friday by a score of 2-0 thanks to goals from John Haist and Ford Edwards. Sunday featured a dominant 4-0 win over Colorado Christian as Haist notched the fourth hat-trick of his career and Connor van Loveren scored his second of the season. The two shutouts give Mines three straight clean sheets and six on the season.
 
WEATHER REPORT
Fans may want to bring jackets and umbrellas to this weekend's matches. Friday's game-time calls for temps in the 50's and a 50 percent chance of rain. Sunday looks to be dry but cool with a kickoff temperature projected in the low 50's combined with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze up to six miles per hour.
 
SCOUTING DIXIE STATE
So far this season, Dixie State has managed just one win in RMAC play and three overall. The Trailblazers lone victory in league play was a 4-1 upset of Fort Lewis in St. George, Utah. DSU is averaging 1.5 goals per game while giving up 1.9 goals per game. Moises Medina leads the team in scoring with four goals and one assist on the season. Levi Lord and Zach Nielson have split the time in goal, combining for 31 saves and no shutouts while surrendering 19 goals through 10 matches.
 
TRAILBLAZERS, REBELS AND BISON – OH MY!
The nickname Trailblazers is relatively new for Dixie State. Originally known as the Rebels, DSU attempted to adopt the nickname Red Storm in 2009 as an effort to distance itself from deep South associations. The change was unsuccessful and the University made the change to Trailblazers in 2016. The name is defined as, "a person who makes a new track through wild country," while the bison image is a carryover from the Red Storm era and is claimed as, "an authentic and worthy nod to southwestern Utah's hardscrabble history. The bison's name is Brooks which is a reference to the school's first student, Samuel Brooks. And now you know.
 
SCOUTING WESTMINSTER
Since joining the RMAC in 2015, Westminster men's soccer has gone just 9-27-2 in RMAC play and 13-26-2 overall. However, it appears the Griffins have turned the corner in 2018, tied for third in the RMAC standings with just one loss in league play coming against #11-ranked Colorado Mesa. The Griffins are #12 in NCAA Division II in total goals with 27 and #16 in the nation with 73 total points. Danny Darelli leads the team with six goals and two assists. However, Amit Hefer is #11 in the country in total assists with 11 in 2018. Will Desantis and Max Medley are nearly even in time in goal, combining for 28 saves, three shutouts and just 11 goals surrendered.
 
FROM PARSONS TO GRIFFINS
Westminster College athletics teams were originally nicknamed the Parsons as an ode to the school's religious (Presbyterian) roots. However, in 1979, the institution went from spiritual to mythical as it became known athletically as the Griffins. Also spelled griffon or gryphon, the school's mascot is a legendary creature featuring the body, tail and back legs of a lion while also sporting the head and wings of an eagle. It is not a real animal and seems appropriate for the school as Westminster College sports teams became mythical in 1967-68 with financial crisis forcing the discontinuation of intercollegiate athletics. The program experienced rebirth starting in the 1990's and eventually joined NCAA Division II and the RMAC in 2015-16.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Friday marks the second-ever meeting between the Orediggers and Trailblazers, and the first as RMAC foes. Mines won the first meeting 3-0 in 2016. Ford Edwards scored one of the Orediggers' goals and Jason Zobott assisted on another. Sunday will be the 13th meeting in the series between Mines and Westminster. The Orediggers are 8-4-0 in the all-time series and have won six straight over the Griffins. In last season's meeting, Ryan Wilson notched one of Mines' two goals in the 2-0 victory.
 
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.
 
TWO FOR ONE
Fans who make it out to Stermole Stadium this weekend will have the opportunity to catch not one, but two Oredigger teams in action a total of four times. In addition to two games for Mines' men, the #5-ranked Colorado School of Mines Women's Soccer team will play two contests. The ladies kickoff Friday at 7:30 p.m. against Westminster and at 1:30 p.m. Sunday against Dixie State.
 
EXPERIENCE STERMOLE IN STYLE
For the first time in program history, the Oredigger Club has extended its hospitality suite to include select men's and women's soccer games. Friday's match will be the third chance for members to watch the game in the comfort of the Kazemi Suite. Hospitality benefits include complimentary food and beverage as well as an unmatched view of the game. Fans interested in joining the Oredigger Club and supporting Mines Athletics while experiencing Stermole Stadium in style can visit www.minesathletics.com/oc.
 
WEEKEND PROMOTIONS
Friday's match is Greek Night at Stermole Stadium with halftime featuring Greek House Scrimmages and Agility Challenge. Sunday features Camper Reunion Day as participants from the 2018 Summer Camps have a chance to reunite with fee admission wearing Mines camp t-shirts. Both matches will have Jimmy Johns Subs for Goals and the Denver Athletic Fan Frenzy T-Shirt Toss. Fans can check out all the promotions at www.minesathletics.com/promotions.
 
NOT ONE, NOT TWO, NOT THREE…
The #16-ranked Orediggers have won eight straight matches including five shutouts and six wins on the road. It's the third-longest, active streak in all of NCAA Division II. Only six other teams have more consecutive wins than Mines.
 
UNITED SOCCER COACHES TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD
The Colorado School of Mines Men's Soccer team was honored by the United Soccer Coaches with the 2017-18 College Team Academic Award. Mines is one of 773 soccer teams that posted a team grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. The Orediggers are also one of 191 schools with both the men's and women's programs recognized.
 
THE STRIKER FROM WANTAGE
Senior forward John Haist has put together an incredible career at Mines and his 2018 campaign has been no different. The Englishman leads the team and the RMAC goals and total points with 11 tallies and 25 points which rank #5 in the nation. He is also the active career leader across all divisions of the NCAA in the same categories with 53 career goals and 119 career points. Haist is currently second on Mines' all-time goals list and tied for fourth on the RMAC's all-time goals list.
 
OREDIGGERS RISING
Mines rose from #18 to #16 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II National Poll. The Orediggers started the season at #8 in the preseason poll but dropped out after a loss on opening weekend. Mines returned to the national rankings last week following six straight wins on the road. Other notable programs in the national ranks include RMAC foe Colorado Mesa at #11 and South Central Regional opponents Midwestern State (#4) and West Texas A&M (23). The Orediggers host Colorado Mesa at Stermole Stadium Oct. 19.
 
RMAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
John Haist earned RMAC Offensive Player of the Week honors Tuesday while Ryan Wilson took home RMAC Defensive Player of the Week distinction. Haist's award was powered by four goals last weekend including the fourth hat-trick of his career. Wilson took home the honor after recording the first assist of his career and helping the Orediggers' defense to a pair of shutouts.
 
IT TAKES A TEAM
Despite John Haist's prolific scoring performances, Mines has seen contributions from numerous Orediggers across the board. A total of seven Orediggers have scored multiple goals in 2018 after Connor van Loveren notched his second of the season while 13 have recorded at least one point. Driving the point home is seven other Orediggers with multiple assists on the season. Among the scorers are three individuals in their first year of action including true freshman Tristan Semelsberger and redshirt freshmen Lucas King and Patrick Allan.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Mines hits the road but stays local Oct. 12 and 14 as the Orediggers travel to Colorado Christian and MSU Denver.  Live stats and video of the matches will be available at www.MinesAthletics.com.