GOLDEN, Colo. – Taking the field at home for the first time in 2023, the Colorado School of Mines welcomed the first of two teams from California to Stermole Stadium Friday night, taking on #19 Cal Poly Pomona. Even though the Broncos (1-0-2) were able to score the night's first goal, the Orediggers (0-0-2) battled back to net the equalizer in the second half courtesy of Nathan Dreher and were overcome a man down disadvantage over the final 12 minutes to earn their second draw of the season.
 
The action got off to a rather pedestrian start almost the first third of the opening period, as both sides tried to feel each other out before Cal Poly Pomona took the first shot of the contest in the 14th minute that missed high. Caden Allaire answered his first tests of the night in goal in the 19th minute and once again in the 22nd as both sides continued to battle back and forth for control of the match.
 
The pendulum of the match swung in CPP's favor in the 29th minute, as a shallow cross from the far side was picked up inside the six-yard box and tucked inside the left post past Allaire to make it 1-0 in favor of the visitors.
 
Quin Collins looked to answer back for Mines in 32nd minute but his try was saved by Herrera Sucre. Between two yellow cards in the final nine minutes of the half, Allaire made another save in goal to keep it a one-goal game going to the break.
 
The hard-hitting action that was seen toward the end of the first 45 minutes continued into the second half as Mines looked to find a way to draw back even. That opportunity came in the 60th minute when a corner kick into the box was played down by Collins, who uncorked a volley with such force that it deflected off the Bronco defender to a waiting Dreher, who was able to neatly tuck a shot inside the far post through traffic to bring the score back even at 1-1.
 
With the score now even, Mines and Cal Poly Pomona looked to each find a way to take the lead as the intensity and physicality of the match both increased. Unfortunately for the Orediggers, the intensity and physicality increased a little too much in the 79th minute, as after a hard challenge, Dreher was sent off with a red card leaving the home team to play the final 11 minutes down a man.
 
Now trying to stave off the Broncos with just 10 men on the field, the Orediggers dug in their heels on defense and got a marvelous 74 second sequence from Allaire in goal, as he made four highlight reel saves to keep the score even and deny a trio of scoring opportunities off corner kicks for the visitors.
 
A last second try from Cal Poly Pomona sailed high right toward the outfield fence at the adjacent Jim Darden Field as time expired and saw the match conclude in a 1-1 draw.
 
NOTABLES
-Dreher's goal was the first of his Mines career
-Allaire's nine saves were a career high in just his second match as an Oredigger
-Freshman Alex Gonzalez started and made his Mines debut in the match, logging 82 minutes
-Josef Emge, Caelin David, Collins and Carter Jansen played all 90 minutes in the match
-Collins led all Mines players with two shot attempts in the match
-Dreher, Gonzalez and John Burnett each had one shot in the match
-Chris Seery appeared in the 45th match of his Mines career Friday night
-With the draw Friday night, the Orediggers are 0-0-2 to start to the season for the first time in program history
 
UP NEXT
Mines takes on another Top 25 opponent in #9 Cal State San Bernardino Sunday afternoon at Stermole Stadium at 2:30 p.m.
 
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.