GOLDEN, Colo. – The #5-ranked Colorado School of Mines Men's Soccer team punched its ticket to the RMAC Tournament final as it took down UCCS 3-1 Friday afternoon at Stermole Soccer Stadium.
 
John Haist led the Orediggers (17-1-1) in their semifinal showdown with the Mountain Lions (10-6-3), scoring two goals on five shots with three on goal. Tristan Semelsberger added a goal as well to round out Mines' trio of tallies. Goalkeeper Drew Johnson allowed just one goal while making four saves in the 17th win of his career.
 
Mines finished the match with 25 total shots compared to 12 attempts from UCCS. The Orediggers put 11 of their shots on goal while extending their undefeated streak to 17 consecutive matches without a loss. Mines also extended its RMAC Tournament win streak to three straight after going 2-0 in the 2017 conference postseason.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
It only took 14 minutes of action for UCCS to remember who led the RMAC in scoring in the regular season. A corner kick for Mines, taken by Lucas King, found the head of a charging Haist to make it 1-0, Orediggers with 31 minutes still remaining in the first half. Just 86 seconds later, Haist gave Mines a 2-0 lead with a side-foot volley off a quick, close-quarters pass from Julian Kehe inside the 18-yard box.
 
Despite the lightning-quick scoring, the match leveled out for both teams and Mines maintained its lead for the next 60 minutes. However, the Orediggers proved they were not satisfied with a 2-0 advantage as Semelsberger bent a shot to the upper-right corner in the 76th minute to make it 3-0.
 
The Mountain Lions broke up the shutout in the 80th minute on a set piece of their own. Jake Demerath sent a corner kick arching to the far side of the goalmouth where Jack Mills headed it home. UCCS attempted to parlay the momentum from its goal into a comeback, but Mines' defense stood strong in the final 10 minutes on its way to victory.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is 38-14-3 in the all-time series against UCCS and 2-0-2 against the Mountain Lions in the RMAC Tournament.
- The Orediggers are now 15-10-6 in 20 RMAC Tournament appearances.
- Friday marked Haist's fifth and sixth career goals in the conference postseason.
- Haist now holds Mines' all-time, game-winning goals record with 20.
- Semelsberger's tally was his fourth goal of the season and his career.
- King notched his fifth assist of the season and of his career.
- Head coach Greg Mulholland is now 34-5-2 overall and 3-0 in the RMAC Tournament in two seasons at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines will face the winner of Westminster versus Colorado Mesa on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the RMAC Tournament final. Live stats and video of the matches will be available at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.