With packed stands for their Homecoming Weekend games, Colorado School of Mines’ fall sports teams left everything out on the turf and court.
It was a busy schedule for Oredigger sports fans, as the women’s and men’s soccer, volleyball and football teams played a combined seven games in four days. Overall, the teams collected four wins and three losses Sept. 26-29.
In the process, several Orediggers garnered national attention for their efforts.
The women’s soccer team — 8-0-0 overall after its Homecoming Weekend games — ascended to No. 1 in national polls for the first time in the program’s 20-year history.
The football team also stayed No. 4 in national polls after its 52-24 win over Black Hills State on Sept. 28. Redshirt junior wide receiver Flynn Schiele also received conference and national honors for his record 297 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 13 receptions.
All four teams have concluded their non-conference schedules and are preparing to take down very tough RMAC foes. For all four teams’ full schedules, visit MinesAthletics.com.
Men’s and women’s soccer
The Mines men’s soccer team had the honor of kicking off Homecoming Weekend for all the Orediggers, facing off against Regis in a Sept. 26 non-conference game.
The Rangers scored their first goal in the fifth minute, and the Orediggers immediately had to play catch-up. The Rangers scored again in the 29th minute, and while the Orediggers remained competitive throughout the game — racking up 16 total shots with four on goal — the Rangers left Stermole Stadium with the W.
On Sept. 29, Mines also lost at MSU Denver 3-1, advancing to 1-7-0 overall. The team was scheduled to kick off conference play Oct. 3 against No. 4 UCCS.
The Mines women’s team maintained its undefeated record through Homecoming Weekend, as about 500 Orediggers packed Stermole Stadium Sept. 27 to watch the team crush visiting UCCS 4-1. The home team did likewise Sept. 29, taking down CSU Pueblo 2-0.
The No. 1 Orediggers were 8-0-0 overall and 2-0-0 in conference play after the weekend. They hoped to keep that momentum going during their four consecutive away games Oct. 3-13.
Mines’ next home game will be Oct. 18 against Colorado Christian.
Volleyball
Mines volleyball alumni and fans showed fierce support for their team Sept. 27-28 as the team hosted its Homecoming/Alumni Night games against Westminster and No. 18 Colorado Mesa, respectively.
On Sept. 27, the Orediggers lost the first two sets but came back to win the final three and the match.
Redshirt senior Hannah Kinnison led the Orediggers with 19 kills, along with 18 digs and one block. Sophomore setter Presley Powell had 39 assists and four blocks for the night.
Jada Price, Olivia Murillo and Jenna McLaughlin also racked up impressive stats throughout the weekend, particularly against Westminster.
On Sept. 28, even with more than 300 fans cheering them inside Lockridge Arena, the Orediggers fell to the Mavericks in three sets. They were nearly able to force a fourth set, only losing the third set 25-23.
Coming out of its Homecoming Weekend matches, the Mines volleyball team was 5-7 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
The Orediggers were scheduled to host No. 2 MSU Denver Oct. 4 and Colorado Christian Oct. 5 before traveling to New Mexico Highlands Oct. 11.
Football
After two straight road games, the Mines football team returned to a jaw-droppingly full Marv Kay Stadium.
The Sept. 28 Homecoming game against Black Hills State had a record attendance of 6,958, beating the 6,191 people who attended the 2022 NCAA semifinal game against Shepherd.
In appreciation, the Mines football team made like a certain makeup brand and gave the fans an easy, breezy, beautiful game. The Orediggers had a 35-7 lead by the end of the first quarter, and the remaining three quarters left no doubt who the superior team was.
Mines won 52-24, advancing to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in RMAC play.
Along with the attendance record, Schiele and senior wide receiver Max McLeod racked up records of their own. Schiele had the second most receiving yards in program history with his 297, while McLeod became the second Oredigger to hit 4,000 career receiving yards.
After an Oct. 5 game at Colorado Mesa, Mines will return to Marv Kay Stadium Oct. 12 for a Blue-Out Game against South Dakota Mines.
Click through additional photos of the Sept. 26-29 Homecoming games:
Colorado School of Mines junior wide receiver scores a touchdown during the Sept. 28 Homecoming game against Black Hills State. Mines won 52-24, and Schiele had 297 yards and three touchdowns on 13 receptions. Credit: Steve Oathout / Mines Athletics 
Colorado School of Mines freshman Taylor Helms, right, tries to spike the ball against two Westminster players during Mines’ Sept. 27 Homecoming game. The Orediggers won the match 3-2. Credit: Mallory Taylor / Mines Athletics 
Colorado School of Mines fans cheer on their volleyball team during the Sept. 27 Homecoming match against Westminster. The Orediggers won 3-2. Credit: Mallory Taylor / Mines Athletics 
In front, mascots Marv the Miner and Blaster the Burro celebrate the Sept. 28 Homecoming football game with Colorado School of Mines fans. The game had record attendance, as thousands of Orediggers returned to campus to celebrate Homecoming Weekend amid the university’s 150th anniversary. Credit: Courtesy of Colorado School of Mines 
Colorado School of Mines mascot Blaster pumps up the crowd at the Sept. 28 Homecoming football game against Black Hills State. Mines won the game 52-24. Credit: Courtesy of Colorado School of Mines 
Colorado School of Mines senior wide receiver Max McLeod, center right, runs for a touchdown during the Sept. 28 Homecoming game against Black Hills State. Mines won 52-24, and McLeod racked up 89 yards and three touchdowns on nine receptions. Credit: Courtesy of Colorado School of Mines 
Colorado School of Mines junior wide receiver Flynn Schiele (14) celebrates a major play during the Sept. 28 Homecoming game against Black Hills State. Mines won 52-24, and Schiele had 297 yards and three touchdowns on 13 receptions. Credit: Courtesy of Colorado School of Mines