Box Score Mines vs. Western State, Friday, 5 p.m. [Live Stats]
Mines vs. UCCS, Sunday, 12 p.m. [Live Stats]
Returning home for their final conference weekend of the regular season, Mines women's soccer seeks to lock down an RMAC Tournament berth - and potentially more - against Western and UCCS.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Heading into its final conference weekend, Mines needs a single point from its two games this weekend to clinch an RMAC Tournament berth. Currently in second on 20 points, four points back of Fort Lewis but three ahead of UCCS, Mines could also sew up a first-round bye with four points, or a win over UCCS on Sunday (or with a loss or tie by UCCS to Colorado Christian on Friday). The RMAC Championship isn't out of reach either - if Mines were to win out and have Fort Lewis stumble along the way at Regis and MSU Denver, the Orediggers could put the title in play.
REGIONALLY RANKED
Mines is one of four RMAC teams to appear in the first NCAA Division II South Central regional rankings, checking in at #8. Fort Lewis is #2, UCCS #6, and CSU-Pueblo #10.
LAST WEEK
Mines had a split weekend at CSU-Pueblo and New Mexico Highlands, falling 1-0 at Pueblo before bouncing back to beat Highlands 3-0 on Oct. 18. Brooke Stoermer, Peyton Sanders, and Mel Westhoff had goals in that game, with assists from Jaclyn Knott and Emily Garnier.
MINES QUICK LOOK
Mines is led in scoring by Acacia Ortiz and Brooke Stoermer, who have four goals each this season. Ortiz's three assists leads the Orediggers. Sam Zumbro (0.61 GGA, .850 SV%) and Jayln Yates (0.53 GAA, .833 SV%) have split time in goal. Mines' defense has been outstanding this season, working nine shutouts with an RMAC-best 0.58 GAA.
WESTERN QUICK LOOK
Western State is fighting to extend its season, needing to add to its 10 points to secure one of the final RMAC Tournament berths. They are led by the goal-scoring duo of Jennifer Kahle (5) and Elyza Montano (4), along with playmaker Sadie Stark (3 assists). Meghan Jedrzejewski has a 1.02 GAA this season in goal.
UCCS QUICK LOOK
Third-place UCCS is hoping to catch Mines for a first-round bye in the RMAC Tournament, three points back of the Orediggers in the standings with two games to play. The Mountain Lions are 5-1-1 in their last seven games, including recent wins over Westminster and Western State. They are third in the RMAC in both scoring (1.3/gm) and defense (0.71 GAA), and have three players in the RMAC top 10 in points: Taylor Braden (11), Michaela Mansfield (10), and Bailee Jameson (10).
