DENVER – MSU Denver hasn't played Colorado Christian in men's soccer in 23 months. The Roadrunners haven't played Colorado School of Mines in 10 days.
Those contrasting histories come together this weekend.
First up is a match at Colorado School of Mines on Friday at 5 p.m., and then on Sunday the Roadrunners play at Colorado Christian at 2:30 p.m.
The last time the Roadrunners played Mines – in a non-conference match at home on Sept. 26, it didn't go well. Mines, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's pre-season co-favorites – cruised to a 4-0 victory. Mines is 7-3 overall and 2-0 in the RMAC.
"We had a poor performance in the first round against them, and we're glad we get another opportunity to try to showcase what we can do," MSU Denver coach
Nick Kirchhof said. "We're excited for the matchup."
The last time the Roadrunners played Colorado Christian, the Cougars were nearing the end of a five-year stretch in which they were 6-79-5 overall and 5-61-4 in the RMAC.
But those days are done. Colorado Christian went 6-5 overall and 2-4 in the RMAC this past spring and enters this weekend at 7-1 overall and 1-1 in the RMAC. Since, the 2020 season wasn't played in the fall due to COVID-19, and teams didn't play in the abbreviated spring season, MSU Denver and Colorado Christian are squaring off for the first time since the Roadrunners' 2-0 win on Nov. 1, 2019.
Picked ninth in the 11-team RMAC, the Cougars are much more dangerous than they used to be.
"Their coach has done a good job establishing their culture and developing good players, and they've had success," Kirchhof said. "There really isn't an easy game in this conference. This is another good matchup and an opportunity for both teams to get themselves ahead in the RMAC."
MSU Denver is 4-5-1 overall and 1-1 in the RMAC. The Roadrunners have had the lead in seven of the 10 games they have played.
Aidan Bates leads the team with five goals and 10 points, while
Sam Funnell has two goals and three assists for seven.
"We've started to get batted up a little bit, but hopefully we are recovering and there only a few weekends left and then hopefully we can extend the season," Kirchhof said. "We just have to not pace ourselves, to have all-out effort and energy at all times, and the results will come."
