Scoring Frenzy Drives No. 17 Mines Past ThunderWolves, 5-1

GOLDEN – Thanks to a second half flurry of four goals, including three in a span of 3:15, NSCAA No. 17 Colorado School of Mines men's soccer routed Colorado State-Pueblo 5-1 Sunday at CSM Soccer Stadium.

Leading 1-0 entering the 67th minute, Mines (4-0-1, 2-0 RMAC) senior Tesho Akindele sparked the men to four unanswered scores, assisting on the first goals of the season by classmates Baski Baker and Alex Gunberg at 66:49 and 76:37, respectively, before heading in his RMAC-leading fifth via a long, left wing cross from junior Jared Herselman.

After receiving a drop off pass from his left, Baker found the right side webbing with a straight-on, seven-yard look; and following a carry along the right end line by Akindele, Gunberg connected on a point blank attempt at front net.

Baker then earned his fifth career multi-goal effort with a penalty kick conversion in the 80th minute, his first brace since scoring two on Oct. 12, 2011 against Colorado Christian.

Freshman Vince Koch provided Mines the one-goal advantage at 29:48, sending a well-placed right wing cross by junior Matthew Alemann to the bottom, left-90 from six yards deep.

The ThunderWolves (1-5, 0-2 RMAC) avoided the shut out with 1:31 left to play as T.J. Thiebaut, positioned in the near right wing, swung a left-footed hook to the upper, right corner off a feed from Mountan Mitchell.

Aided by the increased offensive tempo in the second half, the Orediggers amassed their most shots since 30 tries versus CCU on Sept. 23, 2012, outshooting CSU-Pueblo 28-14 and 15-5 in shots on target. Gunberg led Mines with a game-high five on-frame looks, while Akindele posted four, Baker had three and freshman Allan Foster III logged two off the bench.

Senior Colin Baker ran his record to 4-0-1 in goal, preventing four shots in 83:20 minutes of action.

The Orediggers finish their five-game stretch at home at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, hosting Colorado Christian (1-4, 0-1 RMAC).