Grand Junction, Colo. – Saturday's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Second Round between Colorado Mesa and Colorado School of Mines came down to penalty kicks, as the No. 4 seeded Mavericks survived and advanced to the next round behind a 3-2 advantage in PKs.

The team's battled to a draw going scoreless for 110-minutes. The Orediggers finished with a 26-15 shot advantage, led by George Marchant with five. The Mavericks took 15 shots on the night, placing two more strikes on goal than the opposition. Colton Shafer and Gabriel Peres each took four shots to lead the team, three of the Mavs shots on goal were off the boot of Peres.

Connor Durant came away with three saves throughout the 110-minutes of play, but the redshirt junior was solid defending the net during the shootout turning away three of the Orediggers attempts.

It was a defensive battle from the opening whistle, as each team worked to get in scoring position. Mines did manage to put on 10-shots, two of which landed between the posts late in the first half.

The second period saw a lot more pressure from the Maverick offense as they created a few good looks on goal.

Peres rocketed late in the second that was chipped over by Brian Doherty to preserve the 0-0 score.
It was not new territory for these teams as they headed into overtime for the second time this season. Mines took four shots to the Mavs two, none of which found the back of the net.

David Peters had a 1v1 early in the second overtime period, Doherty charging out and deflecting the shot, denying what could have been the golden goal.

In the opposite goal, Durant collected a save as time ticked down and set up the shootout.

Tristan Semeslberger for the Orediggers and Alec Fronapfel each put through their attempts. Michael Sprauer stepped up second and would be denied, setting up Colton Shafer who chipped one in to the top left corner to give Colorado Mesa the 2-1 edge.

Connor van Loveren then made his shot to even the score, after the Mavericks third attempt was stopped. 

Enter Ethan Anderson who confidently put in the team's third goal to go up yet again.

With just one more Mines player to go, Durant would need the save in order to give the Mavs the ultimate decision. He did just that sprawling to his left, just as he had done in his two prior saves, securing the team's 3-2 shootout decision.

The team will break for the Thanksgiving holiday, and will travel to Cal State LA on Dec. 2. The Golden Eagles defeated CSU Pueblo in the other matchup up to advance.