By: Kellen Gormley
The Mines Men's Club Lacrosse team earned a strong conference victory Saturday afternoon, defeating the University of Texas at San Antonio 17–10 in Golden.
After a scheduled Friday night matchup against the University of Denver was canceled due to heavy snow, the Orediggers shifted their focus to Saturday's contest and delivered a complete team performance to secure the win.
UTSA tested the Mines defense early behind two standout attackers who created several fast-break opportunities in the first half. Their speed and ability to finish in transition kept the game competitive as the teams battled through the opening minutes.
However, Mines found a major advantage at the faceoff X thanks to Blake Koehler, who consistently controlled possession throughout the game. Koehler's dominance on faceoffs gave the Orediggers repeated offensive opportunities, allowing the attack unit to capitalize and gradually build a lead.
At halftime, the Mines defense made key adjustments to limit UTSA's top scorers. The changes proved effective, as the Orediggers slowed the Roadrunners' offensive production in the second half while continuing to apply pressure on the other end of the field.
With extra possessions and improved defensive execution, Mines steadily extended its lead throughout the final two quarters to secure the 17–10 victory.
Overall, it was a strong all-around performance for the Orediggers. While the team continues to emphasize the importance of faster starts on both offense and defense, Saturday's win showcased the group's ability to adjust, control possession, and close out games effectively.
The canceled matchup against Denver is expected to be rescheduled later this spring, potentially in April.
