SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. – Looking to rebound after a tough evening Thursday, the Colorado School of Mines men's soccer team took the pitch at Dumke Field Sunday for a non-conference matchup with RMAC opponent Westminster. After having a man get sent off for the second match in a row and falling behind early, the Orediggers (3-3-2) battled back in the second half, tying things shortly after the half and taking the lead with just over 20 minutes to go, going on to defeat the Griffons (3-4-0) 2-1 after playing over 50 minutes with 10 men.
 
The Griffons kicked off to open the festivities and had the first shot of the day in the fourth minute from Armin Hasonivic, but a save diving to his left by Kenneth Symmes in his first start of the season kept things scoreless early.
 
The intensity of the match was evident from the start, as three yellow cards were issued in the span of a minute, the first going to Tristan Semelsberger in the 13th followed by two more to Westminster's Brennan Neely and moments later Adam Koblanski.
 
Caelin David has Mines' first shot on goal of the day in the 17th minute, but his shot was saved by the Griffons' Roark Looney. Another caution followed shortly after, this time to Azad Iliozer as the highly physical match continued on.
 
Aside from a Semelsberger shot in the 23rd minute, there wasn't much to speak of in terms of opportunities for either side until things settled down momentarily until the 35th minute. A hard challenge on a headed ball by Sprauer following a throw in was seen as a hard challenge and he was booked with a red card, meaning the Orediggers would be forced to play down a man for the second-straight match.
 
As Mines was looking to make it into the half still scoreless down a man, Westminster had other ideas. In the 43rd minute, Jack Cardwell headed a ball played ahead from the far side of the penalty area over the reach of Symmes into the upper left corner from about five yards out to make it a 1-0 contest.
 
However, the Orediggers wasted little time evening things back up as play resumed in the second half. Vaughn Simpson, making his first start of the season, was on the receiving end of a free kick in the 49th minute, as he headed one home over the reach of Looney to square things at 1-1.
 
After being faced with adversity for the second game in a row, the soccer gods smiled on the Orediggers in the 67th minute. After Mines free kick from near midfield into the box deflected out of bounds, Westminster was awarded a goal kick, but a miscommunication between Looney and defender Zach Moss allowed Chris Seery to swoop in and score a nearly uncontested goal to make it a 2-1 game.
 
As the game entered the final 20 minutes, John Burnett looked to tack on an insurance goal for Mines in the 71st minute but his shot was saved by the Griffons defense to keep it a one-goal game. With desperation time settling in for Westminster, the Orediggers' defense stepped up for the remaining duration of the contest following the restart, as JC Vasquez's try in the 80th minute was the only shot attempt allowed in the closing minutes of play as the clock hit triple zero for a 2-1 win.
 
NOTABLES
-Symmes' start in goal was the ninth of his career and first since October 31 of last season, which also came at Westminster; he finished the day with two saves in goal and now has four on the season
-Simpson's goal was his first of the season and second of his career
-Seery's game-winner also his first goal of the season and the fifth of his career
-The Orediggers have now won back-to-back games against the Griffons and taken nine of the last 10 meetings all-time, including five-straight in Salt Lake City
-The two teams will meet again this season in RMAC play in the regular season finale on October 23 at Stermole Stadium
 
UP NEXT
With non-conference play in the rear view, the Orediggers are set to open Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play Friday September 23 at Stermole Stadium at 5 p.m. against Adams State and Sunday September 25 at 12 p.m. against Fort Lewis.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines men's soccer on Twitter at @MinesMSOC. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.