To say that Colorado Christian was an underdog heading into Friday's match at Colorado School of Mines would be an understatement. At the start of the game, Colorado Mines boasted a 4-0-1 overall record, and stood at ninth in this week's NSCAA national rankings. CCU, on the other hand, had yet to win in the RMAC, and was about to play their third game in five days. Oh what a difference 90 minutes makes.
Playing in a steady rain and in front of a packed CSM Homecoming crowd, the Christian squad refused to lose and took advantage of every opportunity that came their way. Though they were outshot 29-7, the Cougars persisted in the face of an aggressive Oredigger attack.
Mines took a 1-0 lead at the 27:28 mark, but it was neutralized almost 10 minutes later when a Graham Delano penalty kick found the back of the net. The 1-1 tie held through the break, as the next score didn't come until only seven minutes remained on the regulation clock. That's when the fireworks began.
Taking advantage of a Weston Leake pass, Sam Walberer connected from 30 yards out to give Colorado Christian their first lead of the game. The advantage didn't last long, as Mines responded in less than a minute to move the score to 2-2 at 83:47. Just four minutes later, when CSM keeper Colin Baker saved a CCU free kick, Bryce Fosdick drilled the rebound to get Christian back on top. The 87:43 goal would be all the Cougars would need, as Brandon Eide and CCU's defense withstood the frantic efforts by the Orediggers to close out the game.
Eide wrapped the game with seven saves, while Delano and Walberer led CCU with two shots apiece.
