GOLDEN, Colo. – With non-conference action behind them, the Colorado School of Mines men's soccer team looked to start anew Thursday night at Stermole Stadium, taking on fourth-ranked UCCS in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener for both clubs. The Orediggers (1-8-0, 0-1-0) played well against their fourth Top 25 opponent of the season, but an early first half goal by the Mountain Lions (8-0-1, 1-0-0) following a set piece ended up being the difference in a 1-0 match.
 
Coming out of the gate UCCS pushed home their attack but to their credit the Mines defense made the Mountain Lions work to try and manufacture their opportunities. Peter Saunders made a high save in the 12th minute against Dani Barajas, UCCS' leading scorer entering the match. Unfortunately, the sophomore couldn't make the save on the next shot off the ensuing corner kick. Lars Walczyk played a low line drive into the box and found Luke Noameshie near the top of the six, where a heel tap froze the defense and found its way into the net for what ended up being the go-ahead score.
 
Four more times the Mountain Lions took aim at goal in the first half, but all missed their mark as the Orediggers' defense regrouped to keep it a one-score contest going into halftime.
 
Saunders went back to work early and often as play resumed in the second half, recording three more saves in the opening 13 minutes against Miles Seminario, Walczyk and Barajas to keep Mines within striking distance.
 
Quin Collins took the first shot of the night for Mines in the 68th minute with a header from about 10 yards out and just missed his mark wide right with a good look at an equalizer. Moments later Abou Bakar Berthe had a promising look that resulted in a block by the defense as chances slowly started to materialize.
 
Saunders saved another shot from Barajas in the 74th minute, giving the Orediggers a chance in closing minutes of action. Following one final round of substitutions with seven minutes to go, John Burnett had the night's best look at goal in the 89th minute with a shot from about 20 yards out looking to tuck it under the crossbar, but was denied by Soren Russell.
 
The final 60 seconds ticked away as the Mountain Lions played keep away as a comeback was not meant to be for the Orediggers in the RMAC opener for both teams as time expired on a 1-0 contest.
 
NOTABLES
-Noah Roles made his first career start Thursday night and logged a season-high 78 minutes
-Hilmir Arnarsson made his season debut in the second half, logging 26 minutes of action
-Peter Saunders ended the night with five saves in goal against 12 shots faced in his first full 90 minutes of action this season
-Caelin David logged a season-high 64 minutes in his third start of the season
-Smith Russell and Kian Mueller both made their first career starts at Stermole Stadium
-The Russell family also got to see their two youngest sons go at it, with Smith suiting up for Mines and Soren being the second member of the family to dress for UCCS, following eldest brother Sybren who conclude his career in 2023
-Charlie Newberry logged his third match of the season where he played all 90 minutes, the most on the team
 
UP NEXT
Mines is back in action against #20 CSU Pueblo Sunday at 12 p.m. as Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play continues from Stermole Stadium.
 
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.