GOLDEN, Colo. - Two late goals less than a minute apart helped Colorado School of Mines stun #7 UCCS, 2-1, in an engaging encounter at Stermole Stadium on Sunday.

Emi Higgins' white-hot run of form continued with her third goal in as many matches, and Landry Corbett's long throw resulted in Mines' second tally as the Orediggers (9-2-3, 6-1-1 RMAC) earned three points in a must-win match to stay in RMAC title contention.

The Mountain Lions (10-3-0, 5-2-0 RMAC) held a slim 15-14 shots advantage and nearly pulled off a comeback with Sydney Lasater's late goal giving them hope.

Sierra Roth made six saves and Jordan Barnhart had a defensive stop as the Oredigger defense was outstanding against the nation's #9 scoring offense.

A scoreless first half was nearly 50-50 on possession as both teams had quality chances; for Mines it was Higgins' shot just over the bar in the 20th minute, and for the Mountain Lions it was Ella Fischer's shot that was kicksaved by a sliding Barnhart in the 44th minute.

Both teams hunted for a goal out of the break and Mines nearly had it when Colleen Tyrrell's close-range shot went left of the post in the 68th minute. A two-save sequence by Roth to twice deny Jadyn LeDoux kept the game scoreless moments later, and Barnhart came close to converting a bicycle kick from eight yards out in the 74th.

Mines' first goal came on a build-up in the 78th minute as Emma Peterson's first shot was blocked, but her cross to Higgins for a left-footed volley paid off at 77:38. Less than a minute later, a throw-in 30 yards up the near sideline presented an opportunity for Corbett, whose long toss bounced awkwardly into the box and off goalkeeper Emily VanGundy's gloves for a score off the throw. 

That set off intense pressure by UCCS, who scored on a fantastic strike by Lasater from LeDoux at 84:25, but the Oredigger defense held firm and effectively killed the clock after that to secure the win.

NOTABLES
- The win is Mines' 10th all-time against a top-10 team. The Orediggers are now 25-23-10 all-time against the top 25. 
- Mines improved to 16-5-1 all-time against UCCS.
- Higgins' goal was her third of the year, all coming in the last three matches. Peterson's assist was her third and she co-leads the team with Corbett in that category.
- Corbett's goal was her second of the year, although her throws have resulted in two other goals this season classified as own goals. 
- Peterson led all players with five shots.
- UCCS led 8-5 on corners. 
- UCCS had been held to one goal only once this season, against Tampa on Sept. 15. The Mountain Lions had been averaging 3.3 goals per game in RMAC play heading into the weekend.
- The win puts Mines, at least temporarily, into first place in the RMAC with 19 points; Colorado Mesa is a point behind with a game in hand, however. 

NEXT UP
Mines visits Fort Lewis Friday for a 3 p.m. kickoff.