GOLDEN, Colo. - Jennifer Kendall's opportunistic goal early in the second half was the difference as #5 Colorado School of Mines beat Dixie State, 1-0, in the RMAC Tournament semifinals.

The Orediggers (18-1-1) will move on to Sunday's noon final against #15 UCCS, who tied with Westminster 1-1 later in the day but advanced 2-1 on penalty kicks.

Mines outshot Dixie State 16-12 including 11-2 in the first half, but the only goal of the game came 2:26 into the second half thanks to a defensive miscue by the Trailblazers. Goalkeeper Nicole Rahman had the ball at the top of the box and went to punt, but shanked it directly into the chest of Kendall, who dribbled into the box and beat Rahman for the lead.

From there it was all the Mines defense as Dixie hunted for an equalizer, with Shannon Mooney making four saves, three of them in the second half. 

NOTABLES
- Mines will go for its seventh RMAC Tournament title, with all six of its wins coming this decade in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.
- Kendall's goal was her team-leading 10th of the year and 21st of her career.
- Before the match, Mines was presented with the RMAC regular-season championship plaque, and the RMAC also honored Defensive Player of the Year Emily Townsend and Coach of the Year Kevin Fickes. 
- Mines and UCCS will square off again after the Orediggers beat the Mountain Lions on the road last month 2-1 in overtime.
- Mines led 8-2 on corners.
- Rahman had seven saves for DSU.
- The game was played under blustery conditions with a strong wind blowing from west to east across the field. It created challenging conditions all game long with several throws and corners blown back out of bounds, and even set balls moving before free kicks.