GOLDEN, Colo. – Looking to close out their season-opening six-match home stand on a high note, the #2 Colorado School of Mines women's soccer team lined up against Seattle Pacific Saturday evening at Stermole Stadium. Despite getting an early goal from Bella Campos, the Orediggers (4-1-1) weren't able to maintain the lead, and coupled with a bit of bad luck, were dealt their first loss of 2023 by the Falcons (3-2-0), falling by a final score of 2-1.
 
The match started off at a rather pedestrian pace with both sides feeling each other out in the opening minutes as the first shot attempt of the night didn't come until the ninth minute when Kaitlyn Manalili looked to go top shelf but was denied by Mercedes Cullen.
 
The night's second shot also came from Mines and this one found its mark, as Reese McDermott played a ball into the box from the far side to Ellise Putnam, who dished immediately to Campos who finished with the left foot past a diving save attempt to put the home team ahead early 1-0.
 
McDermott looked to make it a two-goal game shortly after play restarted, unleashing a shot toward the lower right corner but was again denied by the keeper. SPU looked to draw back even on their next trip down the field less than a minute later in the 21st minute, but Keira Garcia was up to the task and able to make her first save of the night.
 
The teams both exchanged the occasional shot over the next 14 minutes, both teeing it up twice and having one miss the mark while having one saved by the opposition. It wasn't until the 35th minute when the Falcons were able to break through and take advantage of some gaps in the Mines defense as Taylor Krueger worked her way inside the 18-yard box and fired away at Garcia who was able to make the initial save, but the momentum of the shot allowed the ball to keep rolling as it snuck inside the near post to draw even at 1-1, as that would be the score after one half of play.
 
Looking to regain the lead, Mines came out firing in the second half a Landry Corbett, McDermott and Manalili all teed off on goal in the first nine minutes of the period, but saw those tries blocked, miss off the post and get saved twice as it remained an even contest.
 
Unfortunately for the Orediggers, the go-ahead goal came as the half rolled on, but not in their favor. SPU took the lead in the 69th minute, when Krueger played a ball to the top of the six-yard box to Andie Buckley, who headed home a point-blank shot past Sadie Wolf for the go-ahead score to make it 2-1.
 
Now trailing for just the second time all season, Mines tried to find a way to work some magic over the final 20 minutes of the match, but SPU managed to limit possessions and opportunities. A shot from Ava Harman in the 82nd minute missed high over the crossbar and ended up being the last attempt of the game for the Orediggers, falling to Falcons 2-1.
 
NOTABLES
-Campos' goal was her fourth of the season
-McDermott picked up her third assist of the season and now has 59 career points
-Putnam also had an assist for her second of the season and fifth of her career
-Manalili led the way with four shots, three of which were on goal
-McDermott finished with three shots, with two on goal
-Campos and Rubi each ended with two shots and one shot on goal
-Garcia collected two saves in goal
-The Orediggers ended the night with a 17-14 advantage on shot and an 8-4 edge in shots on goal
-The loss snaps a program record 36-match home unbeaten streak for Mines, going back to October 20, 2019; the last time the Orediggers were defeated on home soil was on October 18, 2019 against UCCS in double overtime
 
UP NEXT
With the non-conference portion of the schedule out of the way, Mines turns the page to Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play this week, beginning with a trip to UCCS Thursday night at 7 p.m. before trekking to CSU Pueblo Sunday for a 1 p.m. matchup.
 
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.