GOLDEN, Colo. – Hosting their second Top 25 opponent of the weekend, the Colorado School of Mines men's soccer team squared off with #9 Cal State San Bernardino Sunday afternoon on an overcast day at Stermole Stadium. After surrendering a pair of first half scores to the Coyotes (2-0-2), the Orediggers (0-0-3) rallied in the second half to score twice in a six-minute span to even things back up and earn their third draw to start the season with a 2-2 result.
 
It was an ominous start to the day for Mines as CSUSB needed just 42 seconds to take the lead on the first shot of the day from Brian Castillo as they got on top early. Caden Allaire bounced back and answered with a save in the third minute to keep the deficit at one and allow the Orediggers to settle into the flow of the match.
 
Chances were hard to come by for both teams as the action wore on, as there were just three shots by Mines following the Allaire save until the 38th minute, including a near-miss just left of goal from John Burnett. After the ball was put back in play moments later, the Coyotes scored once again, this time from Daniel Santos to go up 2-0 to close out the opening period.
 
Looking to channel some of the second half energy from Friday night, Mines pressed home their attack to begin the final period of the day, as the increased pace of play led to an increased level of physicality that saw the foul count skyrocket. Shortly after a red card was issued to CSUSB's A.J. Valdivia in the 65th minute, the Orediggers were rewarded with a foul call inside the 18-yard box to set up a penalty try for Chris Seery. The Englishman's aim was true and was rewarded with a goal that sent the Stermole Stadium faithful into a frenzy as they deficit was halved to 2-1.
 
The equalizer happened not too long after, as in the 72nd minute, freshman Alex Gonzalez played a beautiful ball back out to the top of the box to an awaiting Marc Zimmerman, who launched a strike into the upper right corner past a diving Johnny Samano to even the match at 2-2.
 
With 18 minutes left and the momentum now squarely on the side of the Orediggers, the offense pressed home their attack, trying to cash in the man-up advantage to find the go-ahead goal. Despite efforts from Quin Collins and Caelin David, a third goal was not to be but the result ended up being a positive one as time expired with Mines rallying to pick up the 2-2 draw.
 
NOTABLES
-Seery's goal was his first of 2023 and the 11th of his Mines career
-Zimmerman's goal was his second of the year and first at Stermole Stadium
-Gonzalez tallied his first career assist in the match
-Allaire finished with two saves in goal
-David led all players with five shots in the match, while Ian Kugler and Collins each had a pair of tries
-Mines finished the match with a 13-8 edge in shots and were tied 4-4 in shots on goal
-Freshmen Bryce Bowman and Graham Shoaps each made their Mines debut Sunday afternoon
 
UP NEXT
Mines returns to the road this weekend to head to the Pacific Northwest to square off with Western Washington Thursday night at 7 p.m. PT before taking on Seattle Pacific Saturday night at 5 p.m. PT.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines men's soccer on Twitter and Instagram at @MinesMSOC and @mines_msoc. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.