The Colorado School of Mines football team celebrates winning its fifth consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title Nov. 11 after defeating Fort Lewis 82-0.
The Colorado School of Mines football team celebrates winning its fifth consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title Nov. 11 after defeating Fort Lewis 82-0. Mines closed out the regular season 11-0 and 9-0 in conference play, and collectively outscored their opponents 562-126. Credit: Courtesy of Kaitlyn Silva and Mines Athletics

While fall sports are over for many collegiate teams across the Rocky Mountain region, Orediggers on the football field, soccer pitch and cross country courses are still kicking — quite literally.

The Colorado School of Mines football, women’s soccer and cross country teams are hoping to bring some trophies and medals back to Golden in the coming weeks. With their respective NCAA Division II championships fast approaching, the Transcript offers a look at each team as it prepares for the national stage.

Football

The Orediggers closed out the regular season Nov. 11 by absolutely demolishing the Fort Lewis Skyhawks 82-0 in Durango, and securing their fifth consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title.

Colorado School of Mines senior quarterback John Matocha, center, and his fellow captains prepare for the coin toss ahead of the Nov. 4 game against New Mexico Highlands.
Colorado School of Mines senior quarterback John Matocha, center, and his fellow captains prepare for the coin toss ahead of the Nov. 4 game against New Mexico Highlands. Matocha now holds college football’s all-time record for total touchdowns with 181, which he scored Nov. 11 at Fort Lewis. Credit: File photo by Corinne Westeman

The Mines football team is now 11-0 overall and 9-0 in conference play.

During the Nov. 11 game, senior quarterback John Matocha set a new record in all of college football for total touchdowns. He’s currently 181 touchdowns with at least one more game still to play.

On Nov. 12, the Orediggers were named a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division II tournament bracket. After a first-round bye week, they will host the winner of No. 4-seed Augustana and Minnesota State for the Nov. 25 second-round game.

Mines beat Minnesota State in last year’s second-round game 48-45, which was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Jaden Healy, a redshirt junior outside linebacker for Colorado School of Mines, defends as Western Colorado quarterback Drew Nash hands off the ball during the Oct. 28 game at Mines.
Jaden Healy (44), a redshirt junior outside linebacker for Colorado School of Mines, defends as Western Colorado quarterback Drew Nash (9) hands off the ball during the Oct. 28 game at Mines. The Orediggers won 42-7, to remain undefeated and secure the top spot in the regular-season conference title race.

Rounding out Mines’ region in the 2023 bracket is RMAC rival Western Colorado as the No. 2 seed and Texas Permian Basin as the No. 3 seed.

The Orediggers are hoping to return to the title game Dec. 16 in McKinney, Texas and bring home the program’s first national championship.

For the entire 2023 NCAA Division II tournament bracket or for more information about Mines’ postseason games, visit MinesAthletics.com.

Women’s soccer

Mines freshman forward Bella Campos (10) navigates the ball around Colorado Mesa defenders during the Nov. 12 conference tournament championship game at Colorado School of Mines.
Mines freshman forward Bella Campos (10) navigates the ball around Colorado Mesa defenders during the Nov. 12 conference tournament championship game at Colorado School of Mines. The Orediggers lost the title game 3-0 to the Mavericks. Credit: Corinne Westeman

Last week, the Mines women’s soccer team competed in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament this week, hoping to keep its championship crown.

After beating Fort Lewis Nov. 5, the Orediggers braved the Nov. 8’s rainy and snowy conditions and beat the Regis Rangers 4-0.

On Nov. 12, Mines hosted No. 18 Colorado Mesa for the tournament championship game. Although the Orediggers put up 15 total shots and four on goal, the Mavericks stifled them 3-0 and took the trophy back to Grand Junction.

Colorado School of Mines sophomore defender Natalie Rouse, center, congratulates teammate Reese McDermott on being named to the RMAC All-Tournament team
Colorado School of Mines sophomore defender Natalie Rouse, center, congratulates teammate Reese McDermott (19) on being named to the RMAC All-Tournament team after the Nov. 12 conference tournament championship game at Mines. The Orediggers lost 3-0 to the Colorado Mesa Mavericks. Credit: Corinne Westeman

Bella Campos, Reese McDermott, Natalie Rouse and Cloey Seltzer were named to the 2023 RMAC All-Tournament Team, after strong performances throughout the entire tournament.

The NCAA Division II tournament bracket was scheduled to be announced Nov. 13. The Orediggers, who were ranked No. 4 in national polls ahead of the RMAC tourney, were hoping to be among the selected teams. For more information, visit MinesAthletics.com.

Cross country

The Mines men’s and women’s cross country teams are heading to Joplin, Missouri this week to compete in the NCAA Division II championship races Nov. 19.

Colorado School of Mines redshirt sophomore Ethan Grolnic, center, competes at the Sept. 16 Roadrunners Invitational in Denver's Washington Park.
Colorado School of Mines redshirt sophomore Ethan Grolnic, center, competes at the Sept. 16 Roadrunners Invitational in Denver’s Washington Park. The Mines men’s cross country took second place, with Grolnic finishing 15th overall. Credit: Sam Boender / Mines Athletics

The Mines men, who are the reigning national champions, took first place at the Oct. 21 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship race and at the Nov. 4 NCAA South Central Regional Championships.

The women’s team took second at the same meets, and hope to build off last year’s third-place finish.

On Nov. 19, the women will kick things off at 9 a.m. MST. The men are scheduled to race at 10:15 a.m. MST. Follow the team on social media for updates, or visit MinesAthletics.com for more information.

Leave a comment

We encourage comments. Your thoughts, ideas and concerns play a critical role helping Colorado Community Media be more responsive to your needs. We expect conversations to follow the conventions of polite discourse. Therefore, we won't allow posts that:
  • Contain vulgar language, personal attacks of any kind, or offensive terms that target protected classes
  • Promote commercial services or products (relevant links are acceptable)
  • Are far off-topic
  • Make unsupported accusations