GOLDEN, Colo. – The #12 Colorado School of Mines women's soccer team posted their first win of 2026 Sunday 2-1 over Western Oregon thanks to the efforts this year's captains
Bella Campos,
Gaby Guerrero and
Natalie Rouse. The Orediggers (1-1-0) took the lead shortly before halftime and doubled their advantage early in the second period before staving off a rally by the Wolves (0-1-1) over the final 30 minutes.
Both goalkeepers were on their game to begin the afternoon. Ayanah Soon and
Brekyn Davenport-Murrish each faced early pressure but were up to the task as the match looked to be heading to the intermission scoreless. The Orediggers had other plans though and broke through for the first goal of the day in the 42nd minute. After being awarded a corner kick,
Gaby Guerrero's ball to the back post found the head of none other than
Natalie Rouse who flicked it back across goal to the near side past a diving Soon to go in front 1-0.
The Orediggers doubled their lead shortly after play resumed in the second half, as a WOU turnover deep in their own end set up
Bella Campos to do what she does best as the senior beat two defenders before sending a shot past Soon to the back post to make it a 2-0 game in the 57th minute. The Wolves punched back though in the 60th minute to make it a one-goal contest after a mishandled ball in goal by Davenport-Murrish. Abby Doyle took a throw in on the far side and played it in to Kyra DiBenedetto, who passed right back to Doyla as she looked to play a ball into the box on the near post. That cross ended up tracking shorter and more on target to goal, as it drove Davenport-Murrish back and glanced off her fingers and in to make it 2-1.
The final 30 minutes were tense for both sides, as Mines looked to maintain their advantage and Western Oregon was on the hunt for a chance to equalize. Davenport-Murrish shrugged off the goal and made a save against Olivia Boger in the 65th minute, while Campos just missed a chance at a brace in the 74th minute when her flick over Soon sailed just high over the crossbar. After a series of WOU throw ins deep in their attacking third in the final 10 minutes, the Orediggers finally managed to clear the ball and retain possession. Campos and
Allyson Townsend then worked together to play keep away in the near corner as time expired with Mines coming out on top 2-1.
NOTABLES
-Rouse's goal was the 13th of her career and 12th header goal off of a set piece in her four seasons in Golden; she is now five goals back of joining
Afton Rasco (2022-25), Jackie Knott (2013-16) and Haley Cole (2014-17) in a tie for ninth all-time in scoring
-Campos scored her 51st career goal and recorded her 13th game-winner as an Oredigger; she is now two goals behind Reese McDermott for third on the all-time list and now tied with Megan Woodworth (2009-12) for fourth in game-winners
-Guerrero carded her second career assist on the Rouse goal late in the first half
-Davenport-Murrish recorded three saves in her second career appearance in goal
-Mines levels the series with WOU at 1-1-0 as both matches in the series have been decided by scores of 2-1
-The Orediggers have now won a match on opening weekend for 16 consecutive seasons going back to 2011
-
Skyla Yu made her first career start Sunday
-Mines outshot Western Oregon 15-8 in the match and 8-4 in shots on goal led by Campos with eight shots
UP NEXT
The Orediggers have two more matches at home next weekend as part of two doubleheaders with the men's team starting Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. against Angelo State
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.
