Mines (0-5-1) at Adams State (1-3-0) – Wednesday, 10 a.m. - Alamosa, Colo. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
Mines (0-5-1) vs. South Dakota Mines (2-1-2) – Friday, 6 p.m. – Golden, Colo. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network] [Tickets]

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NON-CONFERENCE FINALE
Two familiar opponents lie in store for the Colorado School of Mines men's soccer team this week as they'll wrap up non-conference competition against a pair of RMAC foes. Wednesday morning the Orediggers will take on Adams State before returning home for the first of two matches in eight days with South Dakota Mines Friday night.
 
SCHEDULE UPDATE
Due to inclement weather in the forecast for Wednesday in Alamosa, Mines' match against Adams State has been moved up from the original 3 p.m. start time. In an effort to avoid any weather-related delays in the afternoon at a venue with no lighting, action will kickoff at 10 a.m.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
This weekend's matches will be available to watch with a subscription to the RMAC Network. Free live stats will be available as well. Links for video and stats can be found on minesathletics.com.
 
RMAC NETWORK 
The RMAC Network continues to have a pay-per-view model for all events. Fans can purchase monthly and annual subscriptions that will provide them access to all regular-season, championship, and archived broadcasts on the RMAC Network. A monthly subscription costs $25, and an annual subscription costs $130. Single-game passes are available for $12.50, which grants access to a single game for 24 hours. For technical support questions, fans can contact Hudl Support or email the RMAC directly (rmac@rmacsports.org). For further support, fans can visit the RMAC Network Help page.
 
FAN INFORMATION
Tickets can be purchased online in advance at minesathletics.com/tickets or at the gate on the day of the match. Mines students, faculty and staff will be admitted for free with their BlasterCard. Fans are encouraged to park in Lot K immediately to the north of Stermole Stadium. Fans as are not allowed to park in the neighborhood surrounding the Clear Creek Athletic Complex, as the City of Golden's street parking requires a permit seven days a week.
 
THIS WEEK'S FORECAST
Wednesday afternoon's forecast in Alamosa looked dicey at best with better than a 50% chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. With a new kickoff time of 10 a.m., conditions are much more desirable with mostly cloudy skies and a temperature of 62 with eight mile per hour winds from the south. Friday likewise includes the potential for inclement weather, with a 47% chance of afternoon storms along with a high of 77 and northeast winds at six miles per hour.
 
WEEK 3 RECAP
Mines dropped both matches at home last week to UT Tyler and Dallas Baptist by scores of 3-0 and 2-1. Thursday the Orediggers put forth a resilient second half effort and played some of their best soccer of the season against UTT, but an early deficit was hard to overcome despite the late push. Zach MacDonald started in goal and in his home debut, recorded five saves. Saturday night in an extremely physical and emotionally-charged bout with DBU, Mines scored first when Davyan Martinez put home a corner kick by Pol Garcia Oliveras in the 72nd minute. Unfortunately for Mines, DBU rallied for two goals in the final 8:28 on a pair of long-range free kicks to come from behind for the win. Kiernan DiBella made his first appearance of the season in goal in the match and logged four saves.
 
IN THE POLLS
In August's RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, Mines was tabbed to finish eighth in the league this season. UCCS claimed the top spot followed by Regis, Fort Lewis, MSU Denver and CSU Pueblo in the top five. Westminster and Colorado Mesa were directly ahead of the Orediggers, while behind them South Dakota Mines, Colorado Christian and Adams State rounded out the final three spots in the 11-team rankings.
 
NEW MAN IN CHARGE
After joining the Orediggers as the program's top assistant in 2025, Ben Fredrickson was elevated to Interim Head Coach following the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year. Prior to joining the Orediggers, Fredrickson served as Real Colorado's Assistant Academy Director and head coach of the U16 MLS Next Academy Team. Prior to his return to Colorado, he spent time in numerous roles with Tennessee Soccer Club from 2022 to mid-2024 as the Video Analysis Director, ECNL Head Coach and Assistant ECNL Director. Fredrickson also spent three seasons with Albion SC Las Vegas, where he was an MLS Next Assistant Coach, U14 Elite Academy Coach and club-wide Video Analysis Director. Prior to coaching at the club and professional levels, Fredrickson logged six years of experience at the collegiate level, getting his start in 2014 as an assistant with Division I Buffalo where he worked with eight All-MAC selections and one MLS draft pick. The following season he moved to Mobile, Alabama for two stints with Spring Hill College, the first from 2015-17 and the second from 2018-19. In between his time at Spring Hill, Fredrickson spent a season with Division I Duquesne University.
 
JOINING THE STAFF
Some new faces will be helping coach the Orediggers this season. Longtime Regis head coach and one of the most successful coaches in RMAC history, Tony McCall returns the bench this season to work alongside Ben Fredrickson, who played under McCall from 2010-13. No stranger to the RMAC, McCall led Regis to the program's first #1 overall ranking and posted an overall record of 132-64-17 (.659) and a mark of 99-39-13 (.698) in conference play. Patrick Alvarez joins the bench as well after spending time at Bloomsburg as a graduate assistant following his playing career at Malone, bringing plenty of Division II experience to Mines. Ryszard Gorski joins the staff to work with the goalkeepers, and comes from the Colorado Storm organization where he serves as the Director of Goalkeeping.
 
FIVE YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY PASSES
In early August, NCAA Division II passed a sweeping change to eligibility rules that now gives all student-athletes five seasons of eligibility in a five-year span, and eliminates redshirting. It will apply to this year's incoming freshmen, and returning players can either convert to the new rule or be grandfathered into continuing with the old four-year model, whichever is more beneficial. The new rules supersede the previous freshman rule that allowed them to play in up to four games while still redshirting. 
 
NCAA CHANGES POSTSEASON PROCESS
Another significant change coming to NCAA Division II is how they select the postseason championship field. Playoff selections will now be handled solely by the NCAA Power Index (NPI) instead of regional committees, removing the human element from the process; NPI takes into account winning percentage and strength of schedule, quality wins, and home/away weights, rewarding challenging schedules and road wins more so than in years past.
 
NOW INTRODUCING
17 newcomers have joined the Orediggers for the 2026 campaign. Daniel Bruno, Andrew DeBerardinis, Pol Garcia Oliveras, Noah Hildreth, Kaoru Kato, Carlo Kobelt, Djaz Less, Luke Marcus, Davyan Martinez, Murray Peart, Mason Robledo, Max Robertson, Marcus Saa, Timothé Strout, Zeus Tabora, Marco Vecchini and Aidan Wells are the first recruiting class assembled under interim head coach Ben Fredrickson. They'll join a group of 10 returners from last year's club as Mines looks to return to prominence in the RMAC. Read more about the newcomers here.
 
AROUND THE WORLD
Eight different countries or territories are represented on the roster for the Orediggers in 2026. With 20 players hailing from the United States, seven others hail from all corners of the globe. Carlo Kobelt (Germany), Murray Peart (Australia), Djaz Less (Jamaica), Pol Garcia Oliveras (Spain), Marco Vecchini (Puerto Rico), Kaoru Kato (Japan) and Timothé Strout (Canada) bring an international flair to the program, the likes of which hasn't been seen in some time. Additionally, Zeus Tabora, Max Robertson and Luke Marcus all have international ties as well. Tabora has played for the U17 and U20 Honduran National Teams, while Robertson and Marcus both spent a year in Spain competing for CDJ Manisense after graduating high school.
 
THE RETURNERS
Of the group of 10 returners for the Orediggers this fall, six saw action last season. The other four, Zach MacDonald, Braedan Wallace, Ashish Gurung and Noah Bills eagerly await their collegiate debuts as they'll look to make an impact in 2026. Meanwhile, Kiernan DiBella, Hudson Waddell, Leo Santana, Cody O'Brien, Avi Levin and J McGill will look to build off their experience as freshmen and lead the way heading into the new season.
 
THE CAPTAIN
Andrew DeBerardinis was selected by the team to serve as captain following the conclusion of preseason camp. The Colorado native and graduate transfer from Stonehill will be making his Mines debut Thursday afternoon. A veteran player on the Oredigger roster this fall, DeBerardinis brings four seasons of Division I experience with him as Mines looks to make a statement in the RMAC this fall.
 
YOUTH MOVEMENT
If one were to look at the Mines roster this fall, one of the first things to jump out would be the distinct lack of upperclassmen. Of the 27 players comprising this year's team, fifth-year senior Andrew DeBeradinis is the lone upperclassman of the bunch. The remaining 26 players are comprised of seven sophomores, four second-year freshmen and 15 first-year freshmen. Without question, that breakdown makes the Orediggers the youngest team in the RMAC by far.
 
RISE AND SHINE
The Orediggers are no strangers to early starts in Alamosa. After one of the most severe storms of the fall forced a postponement of their match October 23, Mines and Adams State kicked off the following Friday at 10 a.m. before the Orediggers continued their weekend road trip at Fort Lewis. The result was a positive one for Mines, as Avi Levin, J McGill and Hudson Waddell all scored in a come-from-behind 3-1 win. It was the first career goals for both Levin and Waddell, while McGill's goal was his third of the season. Levin also added an assist on the final goal by Waddell, who scored 44 seconds behind McGill to seal the win.
 
HERE TO PLAY SCHOOL, TOO
One would be hard-pressed to find a match of higher academic caliber and career earning potential than the one Friday night between the Hardrockers and Orediggers. According to Payscale.com data, Colorado School of Mines graduates are #1 in NCAA Division II in both early career pay ($87,800) and mid-career pay ($165,700). South Dakota Mines ranks #3 in D-II at $79,800 and $131,500. Combined, that's upwards of $70 million per year in mid-career salary between the future graduates of the teams
 
CHECKING THE STATS
After last weekend, three Orediggers have scored in 2026. Davyan Martinez became the latest to do so Saturday night against DBU joining Murray Peart and Avi Levin. Peart and Martinez are tied for the team lead in points with three, as each has an assist along with Pol Garcia Oliveras. In goal, all three keepers on roster have now seen time after Zach MacDonald and Kiernan DiBella split time last weekend. In his debut Saturday, DiBella made two saves and allowed two goals against 14 shots faced. MacDonald, making his home debut in his second appearance, clocked five more saves and now has 10 on the year while allowing four goals against 34 shots faced. Noah Hildreth got the weekend off, but has started the most this season with three appearances and made six saves while ceding six goals against 45 shots faced while posting the only shutout of the season.
 
On the year, Mines has been outscored 12-3 and averages just 7.5 shots per match while opponents average 15.5 shots per match. They have three assists on their three goals and have combined for 21 saves. The Orediggers have taken 19 corners kicks and are yet to attempt a PK this fall. They have been whistled for 89 fouls, assessed 18 yellow cards and issued one red card.
 
SCOUTING ADAMS STATE
Adams State played their first match since September 1 on Saturday when they traveled to NAIA Wayland Baptist in Texas and recorded their first win of the season by a score of 1-0. The Grizzlies had previously lost to West Texas A&M, Lubbock Christian and NAIA opponent Oklahoma Panhandle State. Wednesday's match with Mines will be ASU's 2026 home opener.
 
Idrees Altaee has the lone goal for Adams State this season which came in their win last weekend against WBU. Angel Avila Sandoval was credited with an assist on the play. In goal Bryan Amezcua has started three of four matches for 270 minutes. He's made 20 saves and allowed five goals against 29 shots faced for a 1.67 GAA and an .800 save percentage. Lars Ostermann has started his only appearance and made five saves while allowing two goals against 24 shots faced for a 2.00 GAA and a .714 save rate.
 
On the season, Adams State has been outscored 7-1 in four matches and is being outshot at a rate of 16.5-6.8 per match. They have one assist on their one goal and have combined for 27 saves in goal. The Grizzlies are yet to attempt a PK this fall, while they have taken seven corners, been whistled for 49 fouls and assessed 13 yellow cards.
 
SCOUTING SOUTH DAKOTA MINES
South Dakota Mines dropped their first match of the year to NAIA school Rocky Mountain last Thursday at home by a score of 3-2 before posting a 2-2 result Monday evening against another NAIA member, Dakota Wesleyan. The Hardrockers have two wins against NAIA programs Morningside and Mount Marty by twin scores of 3-0. Against NCAA competition, they have just one result which was a 2-2 draw against new addition to Division II Jamestown.
 
Scoring hasn't been an issue for SDM this season, as five different players have at least one goal to their ledgers. Lucas Miranda leads with four goals while Nickolas North and Zach Peroff have three each. Erik Castanon and Kaulden Hood have each scored once. When it comes to assists, Shon West leads the Hardrockers with five, while North, Bennett Dykstra and Parker Yocom each have one. In goal it has been Abdo Salem Abdullah through five matches. In 450 minutes, he's made 14 saves and allowed seven goals against 54 shots for a 1.40 GAA and a .667 save percentage with two shutouts.
 
As a team, South Dakota Mines is +5 in goal differential at 12-7 and averages 15.4 shots per match while limiting the opposition to 10.8 shots per match. 36 of the team's 77 shots this season have been on goal. SDM has made 14 saves of their own in goal and has eight assists on their 12 goals scored. They are 1-1 on penalties this fall and have taken 19 corner kicks. The Hardrockers have been whistled for 70 fouls and issued 12 yellow cards.

SERIES HISTORY
History looks favorably upon the Orediggers in their two matchups this week.
 
Against Adams State, Mines is 24-1-0 all-time and enters Wednesday riding an 18-match winning streak going back to 2013. The Orediggers are 12-0-0 when playing in Alamosa, and most recently posted a 3-1 win in a weather-delayed contest behind goals from Avi Levin, J McGill and Hudson Waddell.
 
Against South Dakota Mines, the Orediggers will stake a perfect 12-0-0 record in the series on the line Friday night. Mines is 7-0-0 when playing the Hardrockers at Stermole Stadium, and last season posted a 5-1 win over SDM to begin RMAC play. In the seven matches in Golden, the Orediggers have outscored the Hardrockers 28-3.

UP NEXT
Mines will turn right around and play South Dakota Mines on Friday September 25 in Rapid City to begin Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.
 
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.