GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Men's Soccer team closed Homecoming 2019 with a 2-0 victory over Colorado Christian at Stermole Stadium.
 
Mines' scoring came off the feet of Lucas King and Connor van Loveren who also combined for five shots in the game. Michael Sprauer contributed the Orediggers' lone assist with one attempt of his own. Ian Kugler came away as the top shot taker, leading all players with four attempts while putting one on goal. In goal, Drew Johnson (10-2-2) needed just one save to earn the shutout and the victory.
 
Mines (10-2-2, 8-0-2 RMAC) finished the match with 25 shots as a team while limiting Colorado Christian (1-12-0, 1-9-0 RMAC) to only two attempts in the entire game. The win extends the Orediggers' unbeaten streak to 10 straight matches and gives them nine shutouts on the year. Additionally, Mines remains at #1 in the RMAC standings, three points ahead of #2 Westminster and six points up on #3 Colorado Mesa.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Orediggers and Cougars took the field on a blustery fall afternoon with winds gusting up to 30 MPH and tumbleweeds flying across the pitch. Those elements appeared to throttle down Mines' scoring ability, but home team still found a way. The first strike came from King in the 11th minute on an arching shot into the wind from the far right corner of the 18-yard box. Perfectly placed, it soared over the reach out the outstretched CCU goalkeeper and gave the Orediggers a 1-0 lead.
 
Mines' second tally of the match came in the 29th minute. The home team used swift, accurate passing to move the ball into the 18-yard box once again. Sprauer carried the ball near the penalty spot and finessed a touch to van Loveren who was running up the right side. The pass proved true as van Loveren one-timed it home for a 2-0 lead. With that cushion, the Orediggers' defense locked down and did not allow a single CCU shot in the first 45 minutes. In fact, the visitor's only attempts of the entire game came in the final 20 minutes of action but it would not be enough as the 2-0 mark would stand.
 
NOTABLES
- In two meetings this season, Mines is 2-0 against Colorado Christian and outscoring the Cougars 9-0.
- The Orediggers are now 40-10-2 in the all-time series against CCU.
- Mines has not lost to a conference opponent in 34 consecutive matches – the longest active streak in all of NCAA Division II and second-longest across all divisions.
- Johnson now has eight shutouts on the season and 18 in his career with 28 career victories.
- King's goal gives him the team lead in scoring thanks to 13 points on three goals and seven assists.
- Van Loveren scored his first goal of the season and third of his career.
- As of Sunday, 13 different Orediggers have scored at least one goal in 2019.
- Sprauer's assist marks the first points of his career at Mines.
- Head coach Greg Mulholland is now 45-8-4 in three seasons at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers travel to Durango, Colo., and Grand Junction, Colo., next Friday and Sunday for matches at Fort Lewis and Colorado Mesa. Live stats and video of both games 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.