GOLDEN, Colo. — Against a team which has advanced this far by winning penalty kick shootouts, the Warriors' exceptional run came to an end as Colorado School of Mines advance to the National semifinal game by virtue of winning the shootout, 4-3, after a scoreless match.
No. 7 ranked Colorado Mines (16-1-6) moves ahead to Louisville, Ky., to face Rollins on Dec. 4 while the Cal State Stanislaus' season ends as the West Region Champions with a 16-4-2 record.
Sunday's contest shows how cruel the game of soccer is as a team which dominate play the entire time do not come away with the victory.
"As a coach in a big game you hope that your team gives an effort and performance worthy of the moment. There is no doubt we did that today," head coach
Gabriel Bolton said. "We pounded their goal for 110 minutes. Full credit to Mines they are a terrific defensive team and did not concede. But I can't ask for anything more from our players. They were amazing."
The Warriors clearly was the better team as they were not able to break-through despite a relentless attack. Stanislaus ended up out-shooting the Orediggers 27-6 overall including a 7-1 advantage in overtime. The Warriors had seven shots on goal versus CSM's two.
But, in soccer, finishing opportunities became key in a tight match against one of the best defensive teams (at least statistically) in the country.
The Warriors had at least a dozen solid scoring chances with many balls that were inches away from giving Stanislaus a lead that it never would have surrendered.
Kirsten Coleman, who scored twice in Friday's win over Cal Poly Pomona, hit the near post in the 62nd minute a few moments after a
Tina Benson shot that went just wide. In overtime, a
Jordan Moineau blast after some great offensive touches, sailed high over the cross bar. In the second OT, a
Katelyn Nebesnick shot had a clear path between CSM GK Jayln Yates's hands and the crossbar, but the ball took-off and went over the top.
Colorado Mines boasts a defense which has allowed just six goals all season. The Orediggers won their conference tournament on PK shootouts over MSU Denver. That PK win locked up the No. 1 seed and home field for two weekends for Mines. Then, in Friday's South Central Regional title match, the Orediggers slipped by Texas A&M Commerce on PKs, 4-2, after a 1-1 tie.
Mines does not have the offense to keep up with the Warriors as the Orediggers scored just four goals in the last five matches — and yet, they are advancing as one of the four final teams in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Meanwhile, the Warriors became the West Region Champions on Friday with a postseason run that included three straight wins while out-scoring teams 5-1 in four games with three shutouts.
The 2014 season closes with more program-record setting performances. It also meant the end of the tremendous careers of five seniors.
"I told our team to hold their heads high. They have transformed our program. They are the ignition for future teams who now see what's possible," Bolton added. "These seniors have been fantastic. They have won three championships in their four years and have really taken the program to new heights."
