GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines men's soccer team looked poised to breakthrough for their first win of 2026 Saturday, but saw their hopes dashed in the final 10 minutes of play as they fell 2-1 to Dallas Baptist. The Orediggers (0-5-1) and Patriots (3-1-1) engaged in a physical and emotionally charged battle for 90 minutes and while the home team got on the board first, it was the visitors who claimed the result much to the ire of the home crowd.
The night started off rather pedestrian in the opening half neither side seemed to gain any advantage on offense. The tone for the action was dictated early though, as Mines was assessed two yellow cards in the opening 23 minutes of play.
Kiernan DiBella made an early save against James Webb in the fourth minute, while
Ashish Gurung had the Orediggers' first shot on goal on a corner kick from
Pol Garcia Oliveras but his shot was saved by Hugo Herrera. A third caution was issued to Mines in the 35th minute as the last notable event of a scoreless first period.
The intensity and emotion both ramped up as play resumed in the second half. DBU pressed home their attack with several shots missing high before DiBella made a save in the 55th minute against Erik Oliveira. After yellows were issued to Mines in the 64th minute and DBU in the 68th,
Murray Peart threatened to score but was denied by Herrera. The Orediggers didn't have to wait long for their next chance, as they found the net in the 72nd minute. As Garcia Oliveras played in a corner kick, the DBU defender marking
Davyan Martinez tried to kick the ball clear over the crossbar, but instead kicked it into the net off the head of a second Patriot player as Mines took their first home lead of the season.
After the restart, the intensity picked up as DBU managed to level the score in the 82nd minute when Caden Berg scored direct on a free kick from close to 40 yards away on the near sideline. With time winding down, the physicality by both teams was at a fever pitch. After two more saves by DiBella to keep things tied, Mines head coach
Ben Fredrickson was issued a yellow card by referee Conor McGahey for dissent. The stoppage occurred while DBU had possession, and as such to restart play the Patriots were awarded a free kick. Berg keyed things back into action as Jack Golden played the ball past DiBella and into goal for the go-ahead score in the 86th minute.
After the dramatic turn of events, Mines found themselves on the short end of the score and looking to rally.
Marcus Saa had a crack at tying things up in the 87th minute but came up empty against Hugo before McGahey issued a second yellow and subsequent red card to Fredrickson in the 88th minute for continued discussion from the bench. One more yellow card was issued to Mines once play resumed as the Patriots escaped with a 2-1 result.
NOTABLES
-DiBella made four saves in goal in his season debut
-Garcia Oliveras led Mines with two shots while six different players attempted a shot
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Noah Bills made his first career start
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Djaz Less made his Stermole Stadium debut after missing the previous three matches
-Fouls in the match were called 13-10 on Mines while seven of the eight cards issued in the match were assessed to Oredigger players and staff
-The seven cards issued Saturday night to Mines is the most in a single-match in the last six seasons, matching an October 2021 contest at CSU Pueblo in which seven yellow cards were issued
-Discounting cards, eight of the final 10 fouls called in the match from the 72nd minute onward were called against the Orediggers
UP NEXT
Non-conference action wraps up for Mines next week with an unconventional schedule, as they'll hit the road Wednesday afternoon for a match at Adams State before returning to Stermole Stadium Friday night for the first of two matches in a week against South Dakota Mines.
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.
