DENVER – Both teams deserved to win. Both teams deserved to lose.
Ultimately, MSU Denver and Regis played to a 1-1 tie Thursday in a non-conference men's soccer game.
"It was a good match," MSU Denver coach
Nick Kirchhof said. "We each had our chances. We each gave up silly things and were fortunate on some things, too. I think a 1-1 tie is probably fair in this situation, but I know both teams are leaving a little unhappy because both thought they should have won it."
Aaron Biggerstaff put MSU Denver ahead 1-0 on a penalty kick at 47:13, but as Regis' advantage in free kicks and corner kicks mounted, the Rangers eventually broke through on Lucas Darval's goal with just 2:08 left in regulation.
"I think we were unlucky to get the result we did," Biggerstaff said. "We had a lot of chances in the first half and second half, and in overtime we had a pretty clear-cut chance to win it. But I think the boys played fantastic. I'm really proud of the way we responded, not only when they scored, but at halftime we came out and kept fighting."
Ross Miller made two spectacular second-half saves, including one just seconds before the one that tied the game on a free kick.
"The second half, they made it difficult on us, and we made it difficult on ourselves," Kirchhof said. "Ross has come up big in big moments, and that's all you can ask from a good keeper."
Biggerstaff also stepped up big on the penalty kick. The shot was earned after
Alec Nguyen set up
Bryson Chiles and a Regis defender was yellow-carded for a handball in the box while blocking Chiles' shot.
After that, Biggerstaff deposited his first goal of the season.
"Luckily the goalkeeper went the wrong way, and I was able to find the back of the net," he said.
Like Biggerstaff,
Gianni Steijlen also put two shots on goal for the Roadrunners, who had an 11-9 advantage in shots and a 7-3 edge in shots on goal. Regis had eight corner kicks to none for the Roadrunners.
Though disappointed to tie, an MSU Denver team that is now 3-3-1 after being picked to finish seventh in the RMAC is showing signs of potentially being able to compete with the league's upper echelon.
"It just shows that we're close," Kirchhof said. "We're neck-and-neck with some of these good teams. We've just got to take that next step as a program and finish teams off."
Regis is 4-1-1 and was nationally-ranked last week after beating then-No. 4 Colorado School of Mines. Mines, the RMAC's co-favorite, has since fallen out of the ratings as well, but the Orediggers will be looking to regain their momentum when they come to the Assembly Athletic Complex for another non-conference game between conference foes on Sunday at noon.
"Regis is a fantastic team that played well tonight and was probably unlucky," Biggerstaff said. "I'm just proud of the way we fought against a team that's been nationally ranked and probably will be again.
"Mines is another fantastic team, so it's another opportunity to prove ourselves. We've had a tough preseason and we've got another tough game before we start conference play. We're looking forward to it and to hopefully getting another good result."
Said Kirchhof: "Regis is a great team and has had a great start to the season, and we battled with them. We should be confident in what we're doing. If we execute what we want to do, we can play with anybody. We want to try to limit mistakes, but good teams are going to force you into mistakes.
"I thought it was great that we bounced back, even after giving up a goal so late. Sometimes those games can go totally the wrong way. It showed great character to keep going for 23 more minutes and get a result."
