SAN MARCOS, Calif. – A two-goal day by Ryan Meinardus powered the Cal State San Marcos men's soccer team (1-0-1) to its first win of 2024 with a 2-1 victory over Colorado School of Mines (0-2-0) on Saturday morning at The Cage.

Prior to the game, CSUSM celebrated seniors Ryan Brown, Justin Carreon, Diego Chavez, Curtis Collazos, Logan Garcia, Nomar Ibarra, Ryan Meinardus, Pablo Orozco, Riley Patterson, Oliver Reader and Vincent Saldivar.
 
GOALS
CSUSM – 7' Ryan Meinardus (Assisted by Pablo Orozco)
MINES – 37' Luke Hanna (Assisted by Quin Collins)
CSUSM – 51' Ryan Meinardus (Unassisted)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• CSUSM struck early in the seventh minute. On a lob pass from midfield by Orozco, Meinardus made a sliding shot just in front of the keeper from 10 yards out and into the top of the goal to give CSUSM a 1-0 lead.
• Mines knotted the game in the 37th minute. On a lob from just outside the top of the box from Collins, Hanna headed the ball into the left side of the net from less than 10 yards out while in a pack of players to knot the game at 1-1.
• Tied at the half, both teams took two shots in the first period while Mines had the half's three corner kicks.
• In the 51st minute, the Cougars retook the lead at 2-1. After an Oredigger foul, Meinardus lined up for a free kick outside the top of the box and put a sailing shot into the top right portion of the net for his second goal of the day.

 
QUICK KICKS

• This was the first-ever meeting between CSUSM and Mines.
• The Cougars led in shots (12-8) and shots on goal (6-3) while the Orediggers had the advantage in corner kicks (4-3).
• CSUSM had possession for 54% of the game.
• Meinardus led the game with four shots, all on goal.
• This was the second career two-goal game for Meinardus. He previously posted in the 2023 season opener at Concordia University Irvine.
• Orozco's assist was his first at CSUSM.

 
UP NEXT
CSUSM will round out its three-game homestand to begin the season on Wednesday as its host Concordia University Irvine at 3 p.m.