PUEBLO, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines men's soccer team opened up their final road trip of the 2026 season with a 3-0 loss to second-ranked CSU Pueblo at Art & Lorraine Gonzalez Stadium Thursday night. Despite getting a career night in goal on a damp and wet evening by
Zach MacDonald, the Orediggers (0-13-3, 0-7-1) fell behind midway through the first half against and had limited chances against the ThunderWolves (13-0-2, 7-0-2), who scored twice in succession in the first half before adding one more in the final period on the way to the result.
Action got underway roughly 25 minutes later than originally scheduled due to pre-match thunderstorms that rolled through the area. Once things kicked off, the ThunderWolves went on the attack right away. CSU Pueblo scored first in the 29th minute on a chaotic sequence in front of goal off a corner kick.
Zach MacDonald punched clear Owen Rutledge's corner kick, but it was collected up in front by Joao Lutz. Lutz fired a shot that ended up as an entry pass, which was redirected into goal by Juan Pablo Orozco Soto for the opening score of the night. The Pack doubled their lead 60 seconds later when a cross in by Leonardo Vilchis was headed up by Orozco Soto out near the penalty spot where Lutz headed it home to make it 2-0. That score carried into the intermission with rain starting to fall once again the final 15 minutes of the period.
MacDonald remained busy in goal to begin the second half, making six straight saves as play resumed before the ThunderWolves found the net again in the 61st minute. Orozco Soto scored his second of the night on a crosser in by Lutz as The Pack came up with a loose ball after an attempted clear by the Orediggers following a corner kick. Mines had a chance late as The Pack misplayed the ball deep in their own end.
Marcus Saa and keeper Vitor Hennig collided inside the box going for the ball, with Saa getting upended and possession going to the ThunderWolves as Hennig recovered first to fall on top of the ball.
Carlo Kobelt tried to head one home in the final six minutes off a free kick by
Marco Vecchini but it was plucked from the air by Hennig. That sequence was the last major action of the night as time expired soon after on the 3-0 result.
NOTABLES
-MacDonald made a season-high nine saves in goal, the most in a match by a Mines keeper this season and most in a match since
Caden Allaire registered nine in a 1-1 draw back on September 8, 2023 at home against Cal Poly Pomona
-Kobelt got the spot start Thursday night, and played a season-high 90 minutes as he finished with one shot
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Hudson Waddell played the full time for the ninth time this season
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Leo Santana played 73 minutes, his most since logging 82 back on September 3 against Biola
-Mines was held to just two shots in the match
UP NEXT
Mines plays their final road match of the season Sunday at #23 UCCS.
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.
