RAPID CITY, S.D. – MSU Denver got back on track Sunday with a 2-0 men's soccer victory at South Dakota Mines.
 
Alec Rodriguez scored on a header at 14:15, and Adan Perez put it away with his score at 67:57 as the Roadrunners improved to 7-1-2 overall and 1-0-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
 
Coming off a disappointing tie in Wednesday's league opener at home against Regis, MSU Denver took control early against the Hardrockers (1-7-2, 0-2).
 
"We did enough on the road," MSU Denver coach Nick Kirchhof said. "South Dakota passed it really well, but the positive was that we scored early and defensively we played pretty well and didn't give them too many good looks."
 
Rodriguez scored on a header in front at the end of a short cross by Kazuki Peralta. It was the second goal of the season for Rodriguez.
 
"I feel good for Alec," Kirchhof said. "It was a good finish and a nice cross. It was a good way to start.
 
"We always are looking to be the team that scores first and then we're looking to get the next goal, too."
 
The next goal came as Bryson Chiles lofted a left-footed pass into the box. Perez played it off his chest and down to his feet and then scored relatively easily. It was the third goal of the season for Perez.
 
"Our back four overall played well, and Bryson filled in at fullback and ended up getting an assist,"Kirchhof said. "Bryson and Alec (Nguyen) continue to be the heartbeat and the engine of our team no matter where they are playing."
 
Ross Miller had four saves, including two in a row in a second-half flurry, while posting his fifth shutout of the season.
 
"He continues to be a great shot stopper, and he's been fantastic," Kirchhof said.
 
The Roadrunners improved upon their best start to a season since opening the 2000 campaign 9-1. Both the 2007 and 2010 teams were also 7-1-2 through 10 games.
 
"There were moments we could've been better, but overall, unlike in our game against Regis, we made sure we didn't give up good chances and we got the second goal that we needed to put the game at rest a little bit," Kirchhof said.
 
The Roadrunners return to the Assembly Athletic Complex for Homecoming Week games Friday at 3 p.m. against Colorado Christian and Sunday at noon against Colorado School of Mines.
 
"It's another huge weekend and it's nice to be home again," Kirchhof said. "I hope the guys remember that Colorado Christian beat us last year, and we'll have to come out and compete the way we can."