Photo Credit: Di Miller
On Sunday October 5, Metropolitan State University (2-0) took on the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. The weather was beautiful except for the extreme winds. Players were wondering how much affect this would have on their game. The field wasn’t in the greatest of shape which was also a concern for ground balls and face-offs. The last time these two teams met was during the spring season on April 18 when Mines defeated MSU by the score of 11-7. This time, MSU wasn’t going to go down so easy. They’ve built a strong squad of talented, fast and strong players all who have a great knowledge of the game. Final Score MSU 14—Colorado School of Mines 12.
The game started out with Mines scoring on the first face-off. They were up by the score 2-0 when MSU came back and Chris Jasen #14 got them on the board with an unassisted goal at 4:16. He would score twice in the quarter tying the game with his second goal assisted by Drew Lazar #18. But Mines would come back and score with only 60 seconds left on the clock making the score 3-2 at the end of the first.
At the start of the second, Mines didn’t waste any time putting another goal in net when they blew it by MSU goalie Bryson Olejnik #21 with only 13 seconds off the clock. It was almost half way through the second quarter before another ball would hit net. MSU’s Sam Houser #17, whose 6’5” frame is hard to stop sent one sailing past the Mines goalie. Less than 40 seconds later, MSU’s Phillip Garand #24 hit twine, assist going to Joshua Davis #2. But the highlight of the second quarter, would be the behind the back goal by Houser #17. The goalie for Mines didn’t see it coming and everyone on the field was stunned by the goal. He would tie the game with only 1:41 on the clock. Score at the end of the first half MSU 5—Colorado School of Mines 5.
With the short half-times (only five minutes), Head Coach Aaron Meyer pulled out the play board fast. He told the team they needed to concentrate on making good passes; moving the ball around; and ground balls. Penalties were pretty high during the first half given the rivalry between the two teams, so he told the guys to settle down; that they were a good team; were playing a good game; and needed to remember what they worked on in practice on Friday.
Heading into the third quarter, it would be all Mines. They would score at 9:30 on the clock and break the tie. MSU got their only goal of the third at 11:48 when Lazar #18 came at goal, blew by the defender and ripped it past the goalie. Mines would put another five balls in net, the last one of the quarter coming with only 36 seconds left on the clock. At the end of the third Mines would lead by the score of 10-6.
MSU began their “Rumble Squad” and it was all MSU in the fourth quarter. Although Mines would sneak by the defender and score at 7:26 on the clock, MSU would score two unanswered goals. Davis #2 would hit net with 12:31 on the clock. Three minutes later, Jasen #14 would get the hat-trick at 9:31, assist going to Kyle Miller Midfielder #16; and the scoring barrage was on. Only 10 seconds later Corbin Korsgard #13 scored an unassisted goal; Miller #16 would also score unassisted with 6:37 left on the clock. MSU Attackmen Davis #2 would get the go ahead goal at 5:22. The last time Mines would hit net would be at 4:29 to tie the game at 12. You could tell that the MSU Roadrunners were not going to let this one slip away. They were winning face-offs and this made the difference. MSU’s Houser #17 would score the go ahead goal (hat-trick), assist going to Miller #16 with only 2:47 left remaining in the game. The team was fired up and wanted that win. They won the final face-off and Davis #2 would head down the field, make some dodge moves and score the final goal of the game, assist going to Lazar #18 with only 1:21 left on the clock. MSU controlled the ball for the remaining seconds on the clock and were not going to be denied their third win on the season. Final 14-12 Metro State Roadrunners over Colorado School of Mines.
MSU would have 48 GB, 47 SOG, FOW 14—FOL 15. Goalie Bryson Olejnik had 11 saves on the game.
MVP of the game goes to Sam Houser #17 with 3 G, 2 A, 7 SOG and some amazing defense not to mention his behind the back goal.
Metropolitan State University will play their next game in a few weeks and the team has yet to be determined. However, with the talent they have on the team; an amazing net-minder; fast midfielders; strong shooters; and a defense that’s as good as any around, I see them continuing to give every team they play a run for their money. Even when you think they’re down and out, they find a way to come back and win as a team. MSU’s record on the season is 3-0. This is the best start they’ve had in years and are a team that definitely needs to be considered contenders in the league.
For postgame audio interviewing one of the players:
