GOLDEN, Colo. – The #5-ranked Colorado School of Mines Men's Soccer team hoisted the RMAC Tournament cup Sunday after defeating Colorado Mesa 2-0 in the tournament final as senior forward John Haist broke Mines' single-season goals and points record.
 
The victory marks the Orediggers' (18-1-1) second straight tournament title and eighth in program history. Haist earned tournament MVP honors as he led Mines with three shots and one goal, assisted by Ford Edwards. The Englishman's tally gives him sole possession of the Orediggers' single-season goals record with 23 on the year and the program's single-season points record with 52 through 20 matches. Haist was previously tied for #1 in both categories with Tesho Akindele who is now a striker in the MLS for Dallas FC.
 
Defensively, Drew Johnson upped Mines' single-season shutouts record to 10 clean sheets thanks to five saves on 13 total shots. The effort helped Johnson earn RMAC All-Tournament honors. Tristan Semelsberger, Jason Zobott and Lucas King were also named to the all-tournament squad.
 
Colorado Mesa (13-3-4) has now lost back-to-back tournament final matches to the Orediggers after falling 2-1 in 2017. The Mavericks out-shot the Orediggers 13-9 and 5-3 in shots on goal, but RMAC Goalkeeper of the Year Briley Guarneri managed just two one save in three opportunities, including an own goal deflected in by a Mavericks' defender.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams appeared evenly matched in the early going, but disaster struck for CMU in the 31st minute as the Mavericks knocked in an own goal to give Mines a 1-0 lead. The opportunity came as Tristan Semelsberger dribbled to Mesa's end-line and attempted a cross into the box. The freshman's service struck a Maverick defender and sailed away from the goalkeeper Guarneri to the far right post and into the net.
 
The remaining 14 minutes of the first half were uneventful. However, the quiet was shattered just 62 seconds into the second half. In the 47th minute, Edwards carried the ball across Mesa's 18-yard line and sent a pass directly down the middle of the Mavericks' penalty area. Between two defenders, Haist touched the ball just to the right of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net for a 2-0 Mines lead.
 
For the next 43 minutes, both teams battled as Mesa pulled its central defender to the front in effort to break up the shutout and stage a comeback. However, three more saves from Johnson and outstanding defense from Zobott preserved the shutout and the victory.
 
NOTABLES
- Sunday's victory gives Mines the RMAC's automatic qualifier, guaranteeing the Orediggers a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
- Mines is 15-10-6 in 31 RMAC Tournament matches.
- The Orediggers are 18-5-1 in the all-time series against Colorado Mesa.
- Mines has outscored its opponents 69-54 in RMAC Tournament play.
- The Orediggers are undefeated in 18 straight matches, dating back to Sept. 2.
- Mines defense owns 11 shutouts on the season. The single-season record is 13 shutouts.
- Sunday marked Haist's seventh RMAC Tournament goal.
- Haist was also named RMAC Tournament MVP in 2017.
- Haist has scored at least one point in nine straight matches. He is the NCAA's active scoring leader across all divisions.
- Edwards now has two assists in the RMAC Tournament, five on the year and nine in his career.
- Head coach Greg Mulholland is now 35-5-2 overall and 4-0 in the RMAC Tournament in two seasons at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
With the automatic qualifier in hand, Mines awaits the NCAA Tournament Selection Show scheduled for Monday at 4 p.m. to see what seed it will be awarded in the South Central Region. The latest NCAA South Central Regional Rankings had the Orediggers at #2, in line to host a second-round match at Stermole Stadium. Fans can check www.MinesAthletics.com later on Monday for more information.
 
Keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.