POMONA, Calif. – Playing their third consecutive match against a ranked opponent and sixth consecutive opponent from California, the Colorado School of Mines men's soccer team looked to get back in the win column Sunday afternoon opposite Cal Poly Pomona. Unfortunately for the Orediggers (1-5-0), they found themselves having to play from behind almost right away and despite a shutout effort over the final 45 minutes, a 3-0 deficit in the first half was too much to overcome against the Broncos (4-1-0).
 
The Orediggers found themselves chasing a goal almost right away in the match as Woody Angell went top shelf in the fourth minute following a free kick to give the Broncos the lead.
 
Following the resumption of play, Mines had back-to-back looks in the 11th that both had a chance to be the equalizer, as Marc Zimmermann connected with the cross boar before Charlie Newberry corralled the rebound and took aim but was turned away by Luke Garciduenas. Carter Jansen and Gabriel Rodriguez each had look around the 13th minute but came away with nothing to show for their efforts.
 
CPP doubled their lead in the 16th minute when Max Laguna converted a PK after Rodriguez was whistled for an infraction inside the 18-yard area to make it a two-score game. Moments later in the 19th minute Woody found Mads Frederikson on a cross as they got behind the Mines defense to make it a 3-0 game.
 
Peter Saunders regathered himself to make four more saves before intermission to keep it a three-goal game and give Mines a chance coming out in the second.
 
Quin Collins lined up a pair of shots in the first eight minutes of the second half looking to ignite a comeback bid, but both tries were blocked as the deficit remained three. Caden Allaire made a pair of saves in the final 20 minutes after taking over in goal at the half, doing his best to give the offense a chance.
 
However, chances were hard to come by all day for Mines and despite an inspired second half effort on defense, the offense was unable to find their footing as the Broncos came away with the 3-0 result.
 
NOTABLES
-Zimmermann led the Orediggers with three shot attempts on the day
-Collins and Rodriguez each added two shots apiece
-After coming on in relief in the second half, Allaire logged two saves in goal and helped direct a defensive effort that allowed just seven shots over the final 45 minutes
-Peter Saunders made his first appearance of the season with his second career start in goal and finished the day with six saves in 45 minutes played
-Abou Bakar Berthe came off the bench and played 30-plus minutes for the second match in a row
-Maxwell Stultz played a season-high 73 minutes, his highest count since he logged 79 against Adams State last October
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UP NEXT
One final weekend of non-conference action awaits the Orediggers next weekend as they'll take on two RMAC opponents starting with Regis Thursday night September 26 at 6 p.m. followed by a trip downtown to take on MSU Denver Sunday September 29 at 1 p.m.
 
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.