GOLDEN, Colo. – The fourth-ranked Colorado School of Mines women's soccer team opened their 2023 season Friday night at Stermole Soccer Stadium, hosting the first of two opponents from the state of California this weekend, downing San Francisco State 4-0. Freshman Bella Campos led the way with two goals in her debut match while Ava Harman added a pair of assists on two goals late in the second half to highlight the win for the Orediggers (1-0-0), who improved to 3-0-0 all-time against the Gators (0-1-0).
 
The evening got off to a fast start for Mines, as Afton Rasco and Reese McDermott combined to put up three shots in near succession inside the first three minutes of action to put the pressure on the Gators early. SFSU keeper Kylie Tone was kept busy early and often, as Laura Butler and Harman each had their try for the first goal of the season but were turned away as the half moved on.
 
Inside the final 15 minutes of the period, the Mines bench generated some energy in a big way, as Campos scored on a ball from Ellise Putnam less than two minute after entering the match, sending one past a diving Tone for the first goal of the season in the 36th minute.
 
The Orediggers put up three more shots in the final nine minutes of the opening half while SFSU had one of their own, but none found their mark as 45 minutes came and went with the home team on top 1-0.
 
The second half started much the same way the first did, with Mines continuing to keep the ball in their attacking zone and putting the SFSU defense to the test. Several players including Cloey Seltzer, Paola Rubi and Landry Corbett had looks at the second goal of the evening, but it ended up being Campos once more in the 72nd minute. A booming goal kick from Sadie Wolf took a fortuitous bounce for a hard-charging Campos, who first slipped a defender then was able to beat Tone to the ball far outside the penalty area for a nearly uncontested score to make it 2-0 Mines.
 
That second goal opened the floodgates over the final 18 minutes of the evening, as the third and fourth goals of the night came on nearly identical plays with nearly identical finishes. First up was Katie Koehler, who was able to head home a free kick to the near post from the far side just outside the 18-yard box by Ava Harman in the 81st minute to make it 3-0.
 
Not even five minutes elapsed before Harman lined up for another free kick in the 86th minute from an almost identical ball spot on the far side of the field, and once again the ball played to the near post was headed home by another Mines defender, this time in the person of newcomer Natalie Rouse to make it a 4-0 game.
 
The goal concluded matters offensively for the night, as the final four uneventful minutes ticked by to see the Orediggers win on opening day for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
 
NOTABLES
-Campos scored twice in her collegiate debut, marking the first time a newcomer has done so since McDermott did it in 2019 against Simon Fraser
-Koehler's goal was the fifth of her career and first since October 23 of last season
-Rouse also scored in her debut match, joining Campos as newcomers who scored in their debut
-Wolf recorded an assist on the second Campos goal of the evening, marking the first time a Mines keeper has picked up an assist since Jalyn Yates in 2013, and also recorded her ninth career shutout, now three back of Sierra Roth for fifth all-time
-Harman's two assists in the second half doubled her career total from her first three seasons at Mines and is the first player with multiple assists in a match since Colleen Tyrrell also on October 23 of last season, marking the 36th time in program history that feat has been achieved
-Six players made their Mines debut on opening night, including Rouse, Campos, Gaby Guerrero, Ariana Ahumada, Lia Zavalsky and Kayla Thomas
-Mines outshot SFSU 25-6 overall and 13-1 on shots on frame while also holding a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks during the match
-The Orediggers are now unbeaten in their last 32 matches at Stermole Stadium
 
The Orediggers close out opening weekend Sunday afternoon at Stermole Stadium at 12 p.m. against Chico State.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines women's soccer on Twitter and Instagram at @mineswsoc. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.