PUEBLO, Colo. – Back on the road Sunday and looking to snap a two-match losing streak, the #15 Colorado School of Mines women's soccer team was able to accomplish just that against CSU Pueblo in their second Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference match of the season. The Orediggers (4-2-2, 0-1-1) fell behind early in the first half against the ThunderWolves (2-1-4, 0-0-2) but managed to draw back even right before the end of the opening period as that score held up over the final 45 minutes to result in a 1-1 draw.
 
It was another rather pedestrian start to the action for Mines as the first shot attempt of the day didn't come until the 14th minute from Paola Rubi followed by two more that were blocked in the 15th minute from Katie Koehler and Reese McDermott, but it was the ThunderWolves who were able to collect the opening tally on their first shot in the 17th minute, when Ashley Bennett and Jacqueline Kosegarten teamed up to make it 1-0.
 
The Orediggers first look at an equalizer came in the 22nd minute when Natalie Rouse fired a strike, but Nicole Genis was there to make the save and keep it a one-goal game for the moment. Aside from a shot attempt by Rubi in the 30th minute, not much else happened in the remainder of the opening half until the 44th minute. A Mines corner kick caromed back out and was collected by Michelle Easley who played it across to the near side of the 18-yard box where Rouse put a shot on frame that was blocked by a CSUP defender and rolled around in a scramble of bodies inside the six yard area until Koehler was able to get a boot on it and tap it through the traffic to score and bring Mines back even heading to the break.
 
As the second half began with things right back where they started, Mines looked to use their momentum from the Koehler goal to take the lead. Ava Harman and Bella Campos had back-to-back looks in the 51st minute but the first went off the crossbar while the second missed high. CSU Pueblo turned things around and put a shot on goal on their next trip down the field, but Sadie Wolf made the save to keep the score level.
 
Again, Mines defenders had chances to score in succession just five minutes later, as Rouse and Callie Fuhr both put shots on target, but neither was able to get past Genis. A shot from Reese McDermott in the 72nd minute had promise as did a pair in succession from her and Rubi in the 80th and 81st minutes, but none of the three were fruitful as the score remained even at 1-1.
 
With the minutes winding down, the Orediggers managed one last look with less than 50 seconds to go. A corner kick from the far side of the field was headed down towards the far post by Rouse, but a defender was able to kick it clear as the final seconds ticked off to result in a draw.
 
NOTABLES
-Koehler's goal was her second of the season and becomes the fifth different player with multiple goals on the season
-Rouse recorded her first career assist in a Mines uniform on the goal and is the 12th different player with an assist this season
-Rouse and McDermott each finished with four shots while Rubi added another three
-Eight different players attempted a shot in the match
-Wolf recorded one save in goal and now has six on the season
-The Orediggers ended the afternoon with a 17-4 advantage on the shot chart and an 8-2 lead in shots on goal
 
UP NEXT
The Orediggers return to Stermole Stadium for homecoming weekend starting Friday night at 6 p.m. against Black Hills State before taking on Regis on Sunday at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon will also be Senior Day for the Orediggers, who will recognize this year's class in a pre-match ceremony.
 
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.