Box Score HOW IT HAPPENED
Colorado School of Mines ended the regular season with a 1-0 non-conference win over Colorado Christian on Senior Day.
Mines (12-4-2, 8-1-2 RMAC) rolls into the RMAC Tournament on fire, winning its last four games. The Orediggers won the regular-season championship and will host a semifinal Friday morning at 11 a.m. against an opponent to be determined.
The Orediggers dominated the game, leading 16-3 on shots, but couldn't find a first-half goal despite 10 attempts. It fell to a spot kick in the second half to decide things; Haley Cole was taken down from behind in the box, and Emily Garnier froze the goalkeeper on the penalty kick to take the lead at 56:34.
Mines had several chances to add to its lead, as Peyton Sanders went just wide moments after the PK and Julia Hawn hit the post and nearly had the loose ball spin back into goal.
The Oredigger defense had to make two key stops to preserve the win, first when Jayln Yates tipped a long-range look by Lauren Terres over the bar, and later when Holly Weyand cleared out a loose spinning cross that had gotten behind Yates.
SENIOR DAY
Before the game, Mines honored seniors Deirdre Johnson, Rachael Turner, Mel Westhoff, and Yates before their final home regular-season game. The quartet have led the most successful period in program history, winning three consecutive RMAC Championships, three RMAC Tournament titles with as many NCAA Tournament appearances, and the school's first-ever NCAA Final Four appearance in 2014.
NOTABLES
- After not drawing a penalty all season long, Mines has earned two in as many games. Garnier scored on both attempts.
- Acacia Ortiz led all players with four shots, including a dropping set piece that was Mines' best scoring chance of the first half. Garnier, Hawn, Laya Rybicki, and Emily Townsend each had two shots.
- Mines' three shots allowed represent a season-best for the defense.
- Corners were an even 2-2.
- The 1-0 scoreline was the same as when Mines and CCU met in Lakewood earlier this season.
THE POSTSEASON
As the regular-season champion, Mines will host the RMAC Tournament and receives a first-round bye. Their semifinal will be played at 11 a.m. Friday against the winner of Wednesday's first-round game between MSU Denver and Regis.
