No. 2 Mines Ousts Rangers, Head To Third Straight Tourney Final

GOLDEN – Backed by an early score and its conference-leading 14th shutout, NSCAA No. 2 Colorado School of Mines women's soccer advanced to the RMAC Tournament finals for a third straight season, defeating fifth-seed Regis 1-0 in the first semifinal Friday at CSM Soccer Stadium.

The women will look to become the first team in history to claim tournament titles in three consecutive years on Sunday, Nov. 10 as Mines (18-0-1) hosts third seed and No. 24 Fort Lewis (16-4) at 12 p.m. in the championship bout.

Named to First Team All-RMAC for the third time Tuesday, senior Anna Evans scored the deciding goal 16:13 into the match, carrying a left wing pass from classmate and Second Team honoree Bree Archuleta to the top of the box and striping a 20-yard look to the bottom, left-90.

Positioned No. 2 among active Division II career leaders in goals (54) and No. 3 in points (131), Evans continues to rank as the RMAC offensive frontrunner in 2013 with 13 goals, 30 points and six game-winners.  

Mines and Regis finished even in shots for the evening, 16-16, while the Rangers held a 6-5 advantage in shots on target. Freshman Anna Deleray directed two of her four ties on frame and Evans, junior Kenzie King and freshman Caitlin Kaltenbaugh each placed one.

Sophomore Jayln Yates and the Oredigger defense combined for six saves with the RMAC Goalkeeper of the Year denying five attempts and senior Second Team selection Kelsey Neal footing away a waist-high shot at front goal in the 12th minute.

The shutout was the 12th of the season for Yates, breaking her single-season school record from 2012 and moving her three away from tying Briana Schulze (26; 2007-10) for the program career lead with 23.

With their 15th win a row and 10th straight against Regis, the first-time RMAC regular season champions are fifth in the Division II archives in longest unbeaten streaks at 33 straight. The Orediggers also rank 17th in consecutive conference matches without a loss with 25 and are tied for 15th in consecutive conference wins with 18.

CHAMPIONSHIP HEADQUARTERS