GOLDEN, Colo. - Goals late in each half by Cal State Monterey Bay spoiled #20 Colorado School of Mines' season opener as the Otters won 2-1 at Stermole Stadium. 

Mason Ward scored in the 41st minute and Miguel Guerrero the 85th for the Otters (1-0-0). Azad Iliozer provided a 55th-minute equalizer for the Orediggers (0-1-0), who outshot CSUMB 15-10. The game was halted by lighting for about 40 minutes with 5:21 remaining in the second half.

An evenly-played first half ended up in the Otters' advantage when Ward finished Julian Contreras' cross in the 41st minute, providing the visitors the lead despite Mines holding a 9-5 shots lead in the period. Both teams hit the post in the first half; Ward rang the pipe in the 19th minute and Joe George hit the right post in the 25th. King made a critical defensive play clearing a sure goal off the line in the 34th minute.

Mines responded 10 minutes into the second half when a dangerous Lucas King cross was met by a diving header from Iliozer to level the game at 1-1. Mines had the better opportunities late but the Otters found the winner on a defensive miscommunication in the 85th minute as Guerrero got behind the line and had just the goalkeeper to beat for the lead.

Lightning then stopped the game, and Mines pressed hard after the restart including a fantastic shot by Tristan Semelsberger that forced a tip save over the bar by goalkeeper Jack Blickenstaff.

NOTABLES
- King took sole possession of fifth on the Mines all-time assists list with the 29th of his career. 
- Iliozer's goal was his ninth as an Oredigger. 
- Michael Sprauer led Mines with three shots.
- Brian Doherty made three saves for Mines. CSUMB combined two goalkeepers with Matthias Milton making a stop in 25:55 of action in the first half, and Blickenstaff picking up the win with three stops in the balance.

NEXT UP
The Orediggers host San Francisco State on Sunday at noon.