AZUSA, Calif. – Looking to start off 2024 on the right foot, the Colorado School of Mines men's soccer team took the field for their season opener Thursday night at the Cougar Soccer Complex opposite Azusa Pacific. Despite a stellar seven-save outing in goal by Caden Allaire, Mines (0-1-0) was unable to manufacture many chances offensively and despite having some quality chances late, were unable to overcome a goal by the Cougars (1-0-0) in the final 25 minutes in a 1-0 setback.
 
APU came out looking to set a tone in the match early with three shots in the opening 20 minutes with the second of two volleys from Luis Solis looking to break the seal, but Allaire held fast to make the first save of the night.
 
Raul Gerhardus uncorked the first shot of the season for Mines in the 23rd minute but was likewise denied by keeper Alexis Rodriguez.
 
Four more shots from the Cougars, two of which missed and two of which were hauled down by Allaire, and a yellow card on Fritz Oestreicher comprised the remainder of the first half action with no change to the scoreboard after 45 minutes.
 
 The second half saw Oestreicher put Allaire to the rest right away in the 47th minute before Quin Collins and Gerhardus mustered tries of their own but came up empty.
 
After another save by the junior out of Casper, Wyoming followed by a flurry of substitutions for Azusa Pacific, the home team managed to break through for the night's first goal in the 66th minute. Following a corner kick, Mines found themselves unable to effectively clear the ball out of their defensive third, and under significant pressure from the APU attack were unable to prevent Logan Race finding room just inside the left post to take the lead.
 
10 minutes later in the 76th, Gabriel Rodriguez had a shot at an equalizer for the Orediggers, but it was not to be as time wound down.
 
Inside 10 minutes, Mines made their final lineup changes of the match, bringing Gerhardus and newcomer Jimmy Koufidakis among others back on to try and make one final push for a draw. A shot by Luke Hanna from near point-blank range was deflected away high over the crossbar by a defender as the last gasp for the Orediggers wasn't to be as time expired on a 1-0 result.
 
NOTABLES
-Allaire turned in seven saves in goal against 16 shots faced in the match
-In his first career start, Gerhardus logged 77 minutes and recorded two shots with one on goal
-Hanna, Collins, Rodriguez and Smith Russell all attempted a shot in the match
-Four players made their Mines debuts in the match, with the transfers Koufidakis and Charlie Newberry getting nods in the starting lineup while the freshman of Russell and Kian Mueller made their collegiate debuts off the bench
-Mines is now 5-2-1 under Greg Mulholland in season openers

UP NEXT
Mines wraps up their first of two California trips on Saturday against Cal State San Marcos. Due to forecasted high temperatures, the original kickoff time of 11 a.m. PT has been moved up to 9 a.m. PT.
 
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.