SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Looking to build off the momentum of their first RMAC win Thursday night, the Colorado School of Mines men's soccer team was back on the road Sunday as they took the pitch at Dumke Field against Westminster for the second leg of their four-match road trip. The Orediggers (2-9-1, 1-2-1) had to play from behind for nearly the entirety of the match, but a late foul call against the Griffins (4-4-4, 0-2-2) resulted in a penalty kick for Ayman Bushara, who converted the equalizer inside the final two minutes to rally and earn a point with the 1-1 draw.
 
Westminster jumped out to the early lead just six minutes in as Owen Gallo collected cross-field pass from Jack Cardwell on the near side before dribbling across the top of the penalty area and pulling up for a shot just inside the top of the box for a goal that eluded the reach of Peter Saunders in the upper corner inside the post.
 
After a shot by Noah Roles missed wide left in the 10th minute, Saunders rebounded moments later on Westminster's next trip down the field to make a save against Cardwell.
 
Chances were hard to come by in the opening 45 minutes for both sides as it was a very defensive-minded first half. Landon Ward took aim at goal in the 26th minute while Jimmy Koufidakis did so for the Orediggers in the 36th minute, but Saunders and Roark Looney each made a save as just one further look by the Griffins in the 42nd was blocked as the opening period came to a close.
 
Westminster looked to strike fast again coming out to start the second half as Alejandro Puente took a shot just 16 seconds into the period but Saunders was up to the task as he made the save. Two more shots from the Griffins were blocked in the 53rd minute before Saunders made another save against Cardwell in the 54th to keep it a one-goal game.
 
The first looks for the Orediggers in the half came in succession in the 64th minute by way of Gabriel Rodriguez and Smith Russell, but the first was blocked and the second missed off target high as they remained in search of an equalizer. Abou Bakar Berthe had a chance in the 70th minute, but couldn't get his shot past Rooney made his second save of the day.
 
With time winding down and chances dwindling, Mines found another gear and pressed home their attack over the final 10 minutes, and with just 67 seconds left in regulation, were rewarded for their persistence. A foul against Gabriel Rodriguez by Aiden Chrascina inside the penalty area was whistled, setting up a pressure-packed PK with a chance for a draw. Ayman Bushara was the man who stepped out to take the kick and after doing his pre-kick routine, buried a shot past Rooney in the lower left corner of goal to level the score at 1-1.
 
The Griffins attempted to race back down the field in the final seconds after the restart as they desperately tried to snatch victory back, but a shot from Landon Ward off a corner kick was blocked as the Orediggers rally netted them another point in the standings with the result to cap a four-point weekend.
 
NOTABLES
-Bushara's goal was his third of the season as he now trails Rodriguez by one for the team lead while turning in his second 60-minute outing of 2024
-Saunders rebounded from the early goal to record four saves in his afternoon of work, raising his season total to 26 while further lowering his GAA to 1.60
-Josh Ary also made his collegiate debut off the bench in the second half, logging five minutes of action and becoming the 27th player to check into a match this season
-Six different players attempted a shot in the contest for Mines
-Charlie Newberry logged his fourth consecutive match with all 90 minutes played
-Smith Russell played a season high in minutes for the fifth straight match, logging 67 Sunday afternoon
-With the draw, the Orediggers remain unbeaten in their last seven trips to Salt Lake City, going 5-0-2 dating back to 2007
 
UP NEXT
Mines will be back on the road for two matches next week, making the return trip to Regis Thursday night at 6 p.m. before heading north to South Dakota Mines Sunday for a 1 p.m. contest.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines men's soccer on X and Instagram at @minesmsoc and @mines_msoc. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, X and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.