#13 Colorado School of Mines at Fort Lewis, Thursday, 1 p.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Stats]
#13 Colorado School of Mines at Western Colorado, Saturday, 1 p.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Stats]
 

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OREDIGGERS WRAP UP RMAC PLAY ON THE ROAD
#13 Colorado School of Mines finishes up its short RMAC schedule this week, taking a spring break trip across the continental divide to visit Fort Lewis on Thursday and Western Colorado on Saturday, both 1 p.m. starts. The Orediggers are 4-0-2 overall this spring including 2-0-1 in RMAC play.

FAN POLICY
Fort Lewis is limiting attendance to 175 spectators; fans are highly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance on their website. Western Colorado has no general admission but is admitting family members of student-athletes only and information has been sent to those able to attend. Masks and social distancing are required at both facilities.

LIVE COVERAGE
Both matches will stream live on the RMAC Network at minesathletics.com/tv.

THE RMAC STANDINGS
Due to an imbalance in the number of matches played, plus divisional play ensuring not every team plays each other in the conference, the RMAC Tournament field will be determined by "points per match" (total points divided by matches) with three points for a win and one for a draw. For this spring only, there are two divisions of six teams each for scheduling purposes; the top four from each division make the field. Mines is currently second in the Mountain Division (2.33 points/match), however, several teams have played only one conference match so far and will be wrapping up league play next week. The RMAC Tournament quarterfinals will be Tuesday, April 20 at the higher seed; the finals will be at a site to be determined on April 23 and April 25.

IN THE POLLS
In February, Mines was announced as the top pick in the RMAC preseason coaches' poll. The Orediggers received 137 points and eight of the 12 first-place votes to lead UCCS, Westminster, Fort Lewis, and MSU Denver in the top five. The United Soccer Coaches' national poll also recognized Mines' good start with a #13 ranking last week, up five spots from the previous poll.

LAST TIME OUT
Mines dominated the second half and overtime, but was held to a 1-1 draw with CSU Pueblo on Sunday. The Orediggers remained unbeaten this year but were frustrated to not get the full three points as they outshot the Thunderwolves (3-1-1, 1-0-1 RMAC) 18-8 including 11-4 after halftime. Playing on her senior day, Chaney Brugman scored her third goal of the season with a 26th-minute tally, but the Thunderwolves earned a penalty kick 42 seconds later and converted.  

EVERYBODY SCORES
In only six matches, Mines has already had eight different goalscorers led by the veteran tandem of Eliot Edwards and Chaney Brugman, who each have three on the year. AK Ford has also tallied twice. Mines is outshooting opponents by average of +11.5 shots per game and holds a +11 goal differential.

DEFENSE STANDS OUT
Although the Orediggers' four-plus match scoreless streak came to an end against CSU Pueblo, Mines' defense has still been extremely impressive this season with a 0.33 GAA and only two goals allowed from six matches. Mines' backline still has not given up a goal from open play since the season opener against Regis, a span of 471:35. Sierra Roth has been outstanding in goal with a .938 save percentage and 0.18 GAA; her only goal conceded this year was the PK against CSU Pueblo. 

SCOUTING FORT LEWIS
Fort Lewis is 2-0-2 this season and 1-0-0 in RMAC play after beating Western Colorado on Sunday 3-0. They still have three RMAC matches remaining after playing the Orediggers. The Skyhawks average 2.25 goals per game allowing 0.75; Corinne Sanderson, Julia Johnson, and Aubrey Swindle have each scored two apiece. Katherine Dunbabin has started all four matches and sports a 0.48 GAA and .882 save percentage.

Mines and Fort Lewis are playing for the 25th time with the Orediggers leading the series 15-7-2. The match will be Mines' only of the spring on natural grass. Mines is unbeaten in their last six matches (5-0-1) but FLC earned a scoreless draw the last time they played in Durango in 2019; Mines avenged that with a 3-0 victory in the RMAC Tournament quarterfinals.

SCOUTING WESTERN COLORADO
Western Colorado is still hunting for its first win of the spring at 0-5-0, and they lost their RMAC opener to Fort Lewis on Sunday 3-0. They play CCU on Thursday before hosting Mines. Western allows 3.2 goals per game and has tallied just once in five matches, a goal by Calleen Sienknecht.

This will be the 10th meeting all-time between the two squads, but Mines' first visit to Western's new artificial-turfed Katy O. Rady Field.

LOOKING AHEAD
The Orediggers host FC Boulder in a friendly on April 8 at 7 p.m. before the RMAC Tournament starts on April 20. The FC Boulder match will be streamed live on the RMAC Network although no live stats will be available.