Skip To Main Content

MSU Denver Athletics

Schedule

team
Tyler Hambrick (10) embraces Sam Rolph after Rolph's goal in the second minute.

Men's Soccer

Metro State Stunned in Closing Seconds by No. 11 Colorado Mines

Box Score

Photo Gallery

video icon
 Video Highlights and Postgame Interview

DENVER, Colo. -
Alex Nass buried a header off a corner kick with 22 seconds left as No. 11 Colorado Mines stunned No. 21 Metro State on Tuesday in Denver.  The Roadrunners fell to 11-6-2 overall and 8-4-2 in the RMAC, while the Orediggers improved to 15-2-3 overall and 11-2-1 in the RMAC.

The loss likely will end Metro State's streak of three consecutive seasons reaching the NCAA Tournament.  Colorado Mines, ranked No. 2 in the Central Region, has won both meetings between the two schools this season.  Only two teams from the Central Region will reach the postseason.

Sam Rolph (Denver, Colo./Mullen H.S.) put the Roadrunners in front just over a minute into the game as he received a pass by Steven Emory (Fort Collins, Colo./Fort Collins H.S.) ahead of the defense on the right side and buried his shot just inside the far post.  It was Rolph's first goal of the season.

Metro State continued to put pressure on CSM in the first half, holding a 9-4 shot advantage at halftime.  Just five minutes after Rolph's goal, Scott Grode (Gilbert, Ariz./Basha H.S.) missed just to the left of the goal on a shot from the close right wing.  A minute later, Tyler Hambrick (Northglenn, Colo./Faith Christian H.S.) hit the crossbar on a deep shot from the left side.

The momentum eased in the second half as the two teams played evenly the rest of the way.  The shot attempts were an even 9-9 after halftime.

The Orediggers finally tied the score in the 66th minute as Alex Gunberg connected on Chike Sullivan's cross in front of the goal.

Metro State mounted an attack with less than two minutes remaining, but the Orediggers took control of the ball with just over a minute left and marched down the field.  They earned a corner kick with 40 seconds left.  Masaki Hemmi's corner from the right side found Nass' head directly in front of the net and Nass buried it past goalkeeper Dominique Griffith (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill H.S.).

The Roadrunners were unable to get a shot off in the final seconds, though they managed to get the ball deep into CSM territory.

Griffith made four saves for Metro State.

The two teams will meet again in the RMAC Tournament semifinals on Friday in Durango, Colo.  CSM earned the No. 2 seed, while Metro State is the third seed.
Print Friendly Version