PUEBLO, Colo. – Seeking to earn a result in their favor to bolster their chances at the top spot in the RMAC, the seventh-ranked Colorado School of Mines women's soccer team was instead forced to settle for a draw Wednesday evening against CSU Pueblo. Though the Orediggers (12-2-3, 9-1-2) scored first, they were unable to come away with the result as a chance to double the lead late went by the wayside before the ThunderWolves (4-8-6, 3-5-4) netted the equalizer inside the final two minutes to post a 1-1 final score.
 
The Orediggers went on the attack early and often in the first half, putting Ava Hellenius to the test in goal before breaking through against the freshman in the 29th minute. Following a foul, Mines was awarded a free kick roughly 10 yards outside the 18. Bella Campos, Kaitlyn Manalili and Afton Rasco all stood by looking to take the kick and on the whistle, it was Campos who bent a shot around a wall of CSUP defenders and just inside the back post beyond the reach of Hellenius to take the lead.
 
Following the Campos goal, Mines had several chances to add to their lead to end the first half and begin the second. Gaby Guerrero led the renewed charge and along with Jordan Bowermaster and Caelan DeBolt, they continued to keep the pressure on the freshman Hellenius but came up empty as it remained a one-goal advantage.
 
Mines had a chance to double their lead in the 87th minute as a takedown of Campos saw a penalty kick awarded as Sam Forde stepped to the spot. Hellenius guessed correct on the shot to the back post and made the save, setting the stage for what was to follow. Just two minutes later, CSU Pueblo managed to net an equalizer in a chaotic sequence. On the second of two corner kicks, contact between Carlia Johnson and Lundgren saw the Mines keeper hit the deck, leaving a window for Johnson to score the game-tying goal in the 89th minute to force a 1-1 draw.
 
NOTABLES
-Campos' goal was her 16th of the season as she ends the regular season as the RMAC goals leader
-Rasco and Rouse led the way with a game-high three shots each
-Lundgren closed the night with three saves in goal
-Mines outshot CSU Pueblo 18-8 in the match and 10-4 in shots on frame; they also held a 16-3 advantage in corner kicks
 
UP NEXT
**Updated 9:25 p.m.**
With Colorado Mesa's 1-0 victory over Westminster Wednesday night, the Mavericks are the 2025 RMAC Women's Soccer champions and have earned the #1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament. They have also earned a bye through to the semifinals and will host the semifinals and championships in Grand Junction starting Wednesday. Mines finishes second in the standings and will be the #2 seed in the tournament. They will play the winner of the play-in match between #7 seed Adams State and #8 seed CSU Pueblo in the quarterfinals at Stermole Stadium Sunday afternoon.
 
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.