GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – A performance for the ages from the #7 Colorado School of Mines women's soccer team Saturday night saw them capture the program's 11th Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Championship title over top-seeded #22 Colorado Mesa. Having to play with 10 players for the final 77 minutes of the night following a 13th minute red card, it was a Callie Fuhr penalty kick in the second half along with a legendary performance by Allie Lundgren and the defense that saw the Orediggers (14-2-4) triumph over the Mavericks (14-3-2) by a final score of 1-0.
 
A pivotal moment in the match came just 13 minutes in when Jolie Jiricek was sent off with a red card following a conversation by the center referee and the fourth official, as they deemed her challenge against Kylie Wells on a sideline header was reckless and violent behavior. Now down a player for the balance of the night, Mines was forced to change their strategy much earlier than anticipated. With a 10-9 advantage in field players, Colorado Mesa looked to press their attack but found it tough going against the Orediggers. A pair of strong saves by Allie Lundgren kept CMU off the board on their two best looks of the half as the first 45 minutes came and went with no change to the score.
 
The Mavericks wasted no time renewing their attack after the intermission, as Lundgren made a pair of saves on consecutive shots in the 46th minute, needing to extend her arm to get a gloved hand on the ball to prevent it from rolling into goal while on the turf after the initial save. Things didn't slow down as the personnel advantage as a 50th minute throw saw a header saved by Natalie Rouse before the rebound banged off the back post for a goal kick. A golden chance for Mines came in the 52nd minute thanks to a handball call against CMU following a Kaitlyn Manalili corner kick. Callie Fuhr, who converted her shot in Wednesday night's shootout, stepped to the spot and caught RMAC Goalkeeper of the Year Keely Wieczorek going the wrong way as her shot went low center for the opening goal of the night.
 
Now trailing and with their home crowd in full throat behind them, Colorado Mesa redoubled their efforts over the final 38 minutes of action. A busy night for Lundgren got even busier as the shots continued to stack for CMU while she made save after save. Doing everything in their power to aid Lundgren, the rotation of the nine remaining field players for Mines turned dug in their heels defensively and did everything to could to disrupt and delay any runs by the Mavericks. As the match went on, time became an ally of the Orediggers with opportunities for an equalizer starting to run out for Colorado Mesa. After a pair of saves against Olivia Barrett in the 79th and 83rd minutes by Lundgren, the Orediggers won possession for most of the final seven minutes of the night, diligently playing the ball away from the Mavericks before celebrating like no other as the clock hit triple zero on a 1-0 win.
 
NOTABLES
-Fuhr's penalty kick was her third this season and was her third goal of the fall
-Lundgren posted a career-high 11 saves in goal on her way to Tournament MVP honors; her performance Saturday night tied her for the fifth-most saves in a match with Brianna Schulze who did so in the 2010 NCAA Tournament against MSU Denver
-In two matches with CMU this fall, Lundgren has faced 58 shots, made 20 saves and not allowed a goal
-Mines atoned for their 2023 RMAC Tournament title match loss to Colorado Mesa at Stermole Stadium by handing the Mavericks their first home loss at Communitty Hospital Unity Field since November 30, 2023 and snapping a two-year home unbeaten streak that started in 2014
-The Orediggers are now 9-11 from the spot this season in regulation
-The red card assessed to Jiricek was the first issued to a Mines player since September 21, 2018 at CSU Pueblo, a period spanning 2,612 days and 156 matches
-The Orediggers' seniors have now been a part of a combined five RMAC championships (two regular season, three tournament)
-Mines improves to 10-1-1 in the RMAC Tournament title match and 30-7-4 all-time in the conference tournament
-The Orediggers have now won back-to-back tournament titles for the second time since 2018 and seventh time overall going back to 2011
 
2025 RMAC All-Tournament Team
Most Valuable Player, Allie Lundgren, Mines
Natalie Rouse, Mines
Peyton Bundy, Colorado Mesa
Afton Rasco, Mines
Sarah Dunn, Colorado Mesa
Kaitlyn Manalili, Mines
Kiely Wieczorek, Colorado Mesa
Callie Fuhr, Mines
Olivia Bariao-Arce, Colorado Mesa
Bella Campos, Mines
Anna Tucker, Fort Lewis
Nylah Mirshafiei, UCCS
 
 
UP NEXT
Mines will tune in Monday evening at 4:30 p.m. MT to the selection show for the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship to determine where and who they'll be playing in their 17th consecutive national tournament appearance. The selection show will be streamed on ncaa.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines women's soccer on X 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.