Mines (0-7-2, 0-1-0) vs. MSU Denver (4-2-3, 1-1-0) – Friday, 6 p.m. – Golden, Colo. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network] [Tickets]
Mines (0-7-2, 0-1-1) vs. Colorado Christian (2-4-4, 1-1-0), Sunday, 2:30 p.m. – Golden, Colo. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network] [Tickets]

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HOMECOMING WEEKEND
Looking to rebound from a setback in their RMAC opener, the Colorado School of Mines men's soccer team returns to Stermole Stadium this weekend for Homecoming with two matches against a pair of metro area rivals. The Orediggers will host MSU Denver Thursday night before taking on Colorado Christian in game two of a doubleheader with the women's team on Sunday afternoon.
 
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
Fall has arrived in Colorado as temperatures begin to feel more seasonal. Thursday's forecast calls for a high of 65 and northeast winds at nine miles per hour with some morning showers. Sunday looks idyllic for a full day of action at Stermole, with a high of 71, plenty of sun and northeast winds at seven miles per hour.
 
WEEK 5 RECAP
For the second time in as many weeks, the Orediggers were dealt a 3-2 loss to South Dakota Mines. In the conference opener for both clubs last week, the Hardrockers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead before Mason Robledo scored his first career goal in the 36th minute to make it a one-goal game before SDM scored in the 43rd minute to make it 3-1. Avi Levin, who had an assist on the earlier goal, added a second Mines goal 63 seconds in to the second half to make it 3-2 and while the Orediggers outplayed SDM by far over the final 45 minutes, they found themselves unable to net an equalizer. Noah Hildreth and Zach MacDonald split the afternoon in goal, with Hildreth playing the first half and making four saves while allowing three goals with MacDonald recording a save on the only shot on goal he faced in the second half.
 
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.
 
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.
 
LOOKING AT THE STANDINGS
Fort Lewis led the way out of the gates with a 2-0-0 start to conference play this weekend. CSU Pueblo and Colorado Mesa each went 1-0-1, while Regis won in their only action. South Dakota Mines, MSU Denver and Colorado Christian all went 1-1-0 while UCCS and Westminster each went 0-1-1. Mines dropped their only action of the weekend and is currently ahead of Adams State, who went 0-2 opening weekend.
 
CHECKING THE STATS
Avi Levin joined Murray Peart Friday atop the leaderboard in goals this season for Mines with two. Pol Garcia Oliveras, Davyan Martinez and Mason Robledo have all scored once. Garcia Oliveras leads Mines with two assists while Levin, Peart, Martinez and Kaoru Kato all have one each.
 
It has been a three-man rotation in goal this fall for the Orediggers. Freshman Noah Hildreth made his team-leading fourth start of the fall Friday at SDM and in 315 minutes in goal has seen 54 shots, made 10 saves and allowed nine goals to post a 2.57 GAA and a .526 save percentage with one shutout. Kiernan DiBella had started the three previous matches for Mines and in 270 minutes, faced 44 shots, made a team-best 15 saves and allowed five goals for a 1.67 GAA and a .750 save percentage with a shutout of his own. Zach MacDonald came on in relief Friday for his third appearance of the season and in 225 minutes, has faced 37 shots and made 11 saves against four goals allowed for a 1.60 GAA and a .733 save percentage.
 
On the season, Mines has been outscored 18-7 and averages 0.78 goals on 8.8 shots per match against 2.00 goals and 15.0 shots per match by opponents. They have five assists on their seven goals, and have taken 33 corner kicks. Defensively, the Orediggers have combined for 37 saves in goal. They have been called for 120 fouls, issued 28 yellow cards and assessed two red cards.
 
SCOUTING MSU DENVER
The Roadrunners are coming off a 1-1 start to RMAC play last weekend, posting a 3-1 win over Adams State before dropping 2-1 decision to Fort Lewis. Thursday night will be just the second true road match of the season for MSUD and just the fourth match away from Denver this fall, as six of the Roadrunners' first nine matches have been at the Assembly Athletic Complex.
 
The defending RMAC co-champions have seen nine different goal scorers this fall, led by Creighton transfer Ismael Reyes with his four goals. Jace Starling has scored three times while Rhyson Johnston has two goals. Colin McKenna, John Lucio, Dominic Athearn, Markus Beck, Riley Galloway and Bryan Vazquez have all scored once each, while an own goal by Lubbock Christian rounds out the scoring. McKenna leads the Roadrunners with four assists and is followed by Charlie Lucero with two. Reyes, Starling, Lucio, Aran Garza and Gavin Wunsch meanwhile all have one.
 
Chico State transfer Dominic Miller has played all 810 minutes in goal to begin the season, facing 83 shots and making 23 saves while giving up 11 goals for a 1.22 GAA and a .676 save percentage with three shutouts.
 
On the year, MSU Denver is +5 in goal differential at 16-11 and averages 1.78 goals and 10.7 shots per match while allowing 1.22 goals and 9.2 shots per match to opponents. They have 11 assists on their 16 goals and are 2-2 on penalties this season. The Roadrunners have combined for 24 saves in goal and have taken 30 corner kicks. They have been called for 117 fouls and issued 17 yellow cards.
 
SCOUTING COLORADO CHRISTIAN
Colorado Christian is also coming off a 1-1 start to league play, bouncing back from a 3-0 loss to Fort Lewis with a 5-0 rout of Adams State. Sunday will be just the third road match of the season for CCU as they are 0-2 with a pair of shutout losses to Oklahoma Christian and CSU Pueblo.
 
Nine players have scored for the Cougars this fall led by Antonio Lugo and his four goals. Benjamin Brown is second with three goals while Casey DeVito is the third and final Cougar with multiple goals this season with two. Kylar Carr, Rayce Haldy, Iasonas Nikolaidis, Bodie Curties, Tiago Gomes and Oscer Sreckov have all scored once each. Looking at assists, the trio of Brown, Carr and Haldy lead the team with three assists each while Lugo,, Nikolaidis, Jacob Hull and Jackson Schroeder all have one each.
 
In goal, it has been a three-man effort led by Campbell Wolfgram. He's started all nine matches in which he has appeared for 752:10 and against 96 shots in that time, has made 22 saves while allowing 13 goals for a 1.56 GAA and a .629 save percentage with two shutouts. Beckett Pomeroy has appeared twice with one start for 105:34 and against 18 shots, has made six saves while allowing three goals for a 2.56 GAA and a .667 save percentage. Owen Sutherland rounds out the group with one appearance on opening day against OCU, allowing for goals in 42:16 without a save against three shots.
 
On the season, CCU is -3 in goal differential at 18-15 and averages 1.50 goals per match and 12.9 shots while allowing 1.80 goals and 11.7 shots per match to the opposition. They have 13 assists on their 15 goals, and are 1-2 on PKs this fall. The Cougars have made 28 saves in goal and taken 37 corner kicks. They have been called for 101 fouls and issued 18 yellow cards.

SERIES HISTORY
Mines leads the series with MSU Denver 48-37-11 all-time and has a home record of 24-19-3 against the Roadrunners. The teams met twice last season with MSUD taking a 3-0 result in conference play in Denver on October 9 while the teams played to a 2-2 draw in non-conference action in Golden on September 25. The last win for the Orediggers in the series was a wild and snowy 4-3 result on the final day of the regular season in 2024, but MSU Denver has had the upper hand lately in the series, going 2-1-2 since 2023.
 
Against Colorado Christian, Mines also leads the series 47-12-2 all-time with a mark of 23-6-1 at home. The schools of 2-2 in their last four meetings, with CCU posting a 3-1 result in Lakewood last October. The Orediggers last won in 2024 with a 1-0 result on the road on Halloween. The teams last played in Golden in late October of 2023 and saw the Cougars snap a 13-match losing streak in the series with a 2-1 win.

UP NEXT
Mines is back on the road next week as they'll first travel to Westminster October 8 followed by a trip to the western slope and Colorado Mesa October 11.
 
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.