Box Score GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Colorado Mesa men's soccer went toe-to-toe with nationally-ranked and first-place Colorado School of Mines for the first 45 minutes, but the No. 10 Orediggers ultimately had more firepower in the end.

After a challenging second half, Mines came away with a 3-0 victory, improving to 8-1 in the conference. The Mavericks fell to 3-5-1 in RMAC play and 8-7-1 overall. They will conclude their season and celebrate Senior Day on Sunday at 11 a.m. against Colorado Christian. That game time was recently changed due to RMAC protocols regarding the final day of the regular season.

Once again, Colorado Mesa recorded more shots than their opponent, recording 19 attempts to Mines' 13 and also holding an 8-7 shots on goal advantage. Mines goalkeeper Brian Doherty held tough to make eight saves.

The first half was a fascinating, up-tempo display of high-level soccer from both teams. Both sides had golden opportunities to score early on. Mavs goalie Diego Chavez palmed an Azad Iliozer header onto the crossbar just two minutes into the match and managed to come up with the rebound after the loose ball pinballed around the box for a few perilous seconds.

Doherty left his feet to make a diving save on a Manuel Ponce Casas shot attempt in the 12^th minute. A short time later, a sneak attack long ball gave Daisuke Takanaka a one-on-one opportunity. The senior winger chipped his shot over the goalkeeper, but the ball once again hit the crossbar and stayed out.

The Mavericks held a 10-6 shots advantage at the end of a first half that had all the class and intensity of the first-round NCAA Tournament encounter between these two teams a year ago. After the halftime break, however, Mines began to break through.

Long known for their skill on set pieces, Mines used a free kick opportunity to take the lead in the 49^th minute, with Lucas King's ball headed in by Iliozer. All the offensive pressure and chances were swinging in the visitors' direction when a foul in the box earned Mines a penalty kick, which was converted by Tristan Semelsberger in the 64^th minute.

Semelsberger added another in the 70^th minute and now is tied for the RMAC lead with 12 total goals on the season. Mavericks defender Jorge Rodriguez suffered a serious injury in the buildup to Mines' third goal, causing a lengthy and emotional delay that further took the wind out of the sails of Community Hospital Unity Field.

Colton Shafer, Manuel Ponce Casas and Fernando Morales each had two shots on goal for the Mavericks.

The Mavericks have an opportunity to finish the season on a high note against Colorado Christian, who is still jockeying to qualify for the RMAC Tournament for the first time in program history. Kickoff is at 11 a.m., but make sure to get to the field or tune in early for the Senior Day pregame ceremony honoring CMU's nine outgoing seniors.