DENVER – Aidan Bates broke the program record by scoring just 25 seconds into the game, but MSU Denver couldn't hang on to the lead and eventually dropped a 2-1 decision at Regis on Wednesday in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener in men's soccer.
 
Still, despite the disappointing outcome against a team it had just tied Thursday in a non-conference matchup, there were plenty of positive vibes flowing post-game.
 
"It's weird one, because I actually think we played better than we did the first time against them," MSU Denver coach Nick Kirchhof said. "We made some good adjustments, and the guys were executing the game plan well. We got a great goal right off the bat and a couple of more dangerous chances early on that were there for the taking, but unfortunately we didn't get those."
 
After the start of game was delayed by lightning, Bates struck like a still-lingering thunderbolt.

It was his fourth goal of the season.

He broke Scott Grode's 2009 school mark for fastest goal to start the game – Grode scored in 29 seconds against Northeastern Oklahoma State in what turned into a 4-1 victory for the No. 13 Roadrunners.
 
"We just forced the keeper into a mistake," Kirchhof said. "We pressed from the get-go and Aidan was calmed and composed and slid it by him. It was a positive start. We talk about being ready when things come to us, and he was ready. Aidan had a great game today overall."
 
Regis, nationally-ranked earlier this season, tied the game in the 40th minute and scored the go-ahead goal in the 73rd.

Aaron Biggerstaff, Bryson Chiles, Alec Nguyen and David Pena also had shots on goal for the Roadrunners (3-5-1 overall), who had a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks and were nearly even in shots on goal (Regis led 6-5) and total shots (Regis had a 20-17 advantage).
 
MSU Denver was coming off a tough 4-0 Sunday loss to Colorado School of Mines to wrap up the non-conference schedule, but showed renewed energy and grit on Wednesday.
 
"I'm pleased with the effort the guys gave today," Kirchhof said. "It's one of those days where, it's soccer and it doesn't always fall your way. But that wasn't based on lack of quality or effort by any means.
 
"If we keep playing with the same motivation and drive, the results will start falling our way."