First-Time Scorers Lift No. 5 Women’s Soccer Over Mavericks
GRAND JUNCTION – Senior Nicho Cusack and freshman Brooke Stoermer each produced their initial collegiate scores as NSCAA No. 5 Colorado School of Mines women's soccer held off host Colorado Mesa, 2-0, Friday night at Walker Field in Grand Junction.

Making her 76th start in the Silver-and-Blue, Cusack supplied Mines (9-0-2, 6-0-1 RMAC) with a 1-0 halftime advantage, beating the defense and keeper with 5:43 to play in the opening stanza.  

Stoermer increased the lead to its ending margin early in the second, directing a pass from sophomore Caitlin Kaltenbaugh over the top of the goalie at 61:14.

The women were plus-7 in shots in the first 45:00, but closed at 11-9 as Colorado Mesa (0-8-3, 0-5-2 RMAC) outshot the Orediggers 8-3 after intermission with six tries on frame.  

Cusack and Stoermer, as well as sophomores Anna Deleray and Holly Weyand and freshmen Laya Rybicki and Devon Dunmire, each finished with one attempt to net.

The first-time scorers are the 12th and 13th Orediggers to register a goal this season.

Junior Jayln Yates (9-0-2) was one off her season-high in saves, swiping all six chances in full time for her fourth straight shutout and eighth in 10 matches.

Tied for 12th in the Division II archives in consecutive conference games without a loss with 33, Mines is back in Golden on Sunday to face Colorado Christian at 1 p.m. at CSM Soccer Stadium.