COLORADO SPRINGS - Jeff Nelson had two goals and an assist as the No. 16-ranked Colorado School of Mines Orediggers defeated the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs 5-1 Friday evening at Mountain Lion Field.

"They're a good team. They're ranked in the top (16) for a reason," said UCCS assistant coach John Sollock. "And from the stats, we outplayed them in the second half."

Matt Friesen made it 3-1 just after halftime when he one-timed a throw-in by Riley Gallagher.

"I thought it was a good throw-in," said Sollock. "Riley's throw-ins are always dangerous if we execute them. I think their defender misjudged it."

Friesen's goal moved him into a tie for sixth place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) in goals per game.

"Matt, like he always is, was in the right spot at the right time," said Sollock.

UCCS was unable to penetrate the Orediggers' defense in the first half, making only four shots compared to Mines' 14. Much of the problem can be attributed to the Orediggers' unusual formation.

"We honestly weren't expecting a 3-5-2," said Sollock. "It's a formation you don't see often. In fact, that might be the only team we've seen it against."

UCCS was able to slow down the Orediggers' offense in the second half, limiting them to five shots to the Mountain Lions' nine.

"There are always a lot of in-game changes," said Sollock. "I thought we took advantage in the second half and made some changes."

After the game, Sollock was able to put the lopsided score in perspective.

"We're still young," he said. "At some points today we had three or four freshmen on the field."