SPEARFISH, S.D. - #17 Colorado School of Mines cruised to a 5-0 win over Black Hills State on Friday led by Emi Higgins' two goals in an offensive showcase.

The Orediggers (13-2-1, 9-1-1 RMAC) outshot the Yellow Jackets (3-10-1, 3-6-1) by a 35-5 margin as they edged closer to sewing up a top-two seed in the upcoming RMAC Tournament. Higgins scored twice to go with goals by Kaylee Kennedy, Brooke Patterson, and Amena Nelson as Chaney Brugman and Nicole LaTourette had assists.

Mines will now turn around and play at Regis on short rest Saturday; that match was moved ahead a day due to impending snow in the Front Range on Sunday.

The Orediggers scored early and often as Kennedy and Patterson tallied moments apart inside the 20-minute mark, and the Orediggers took that 2-0 lead into the half with a 16-2 shots advantage.

In the second half, Nelson sparked a three-goal outburst with her first career goal in the 61st minute, and Higgins scored her first two minutes later before capping the game in the 83rd minute to make it 5-0.

NOTABLES
- Mines needs to take one point from its final two matches (at Regis, home against Colorado Christian) to secure the RMAC Tournament's #2 seed.
- Patterson, a freshman, and Nelson, a redshirt freshman, scored for the first time in their careers. They are the 17th and 18th different players to score for the Orediggers this year, tying the 2016 team for most different goalscorers in a season in program history.
- Higgins' brace, her second of the year, now ties her with Nicole LaTourette for the team lead at seven goals.
- Kennedy scored her second of the season.
- LaTourette extended her points streak to five games with her assist on Kennedy's opening goal; the senior has three goals and two assists in that span.
- Brugman's three assists this season are a team high and career best.
- Mines improved to 4-0-0 all-time against BHSU.
- The Orediggers have outscored opponents 37-4 in RMAC play this year.