No. 9 Mines Halts No. 14 Patriots 3-1 In Season-Opener

CANYON, Texas – NSCAA No. 9 Colorado School of Mines women's soccer started fast and denied any comeback chances in defeating No. 14 Dallas Baptist, 3-1, Thursday at the West Texas A&M Buffalo Sports Park in Canyon, Texas.

The win extended the women's school-record unbeaten streak to 15 games dating back to a 1-0 defeat at Metro State on Sept. 30, 2012. Similarly, the Orediggers have yet to trail in a game since the first half against UC-Colorado Springs on Oct. 26 – a span of nearly 710 minutes.

Senior Anna Evans wasted little time showcasing her scoring prowess, netting the season's first score at the 8:09 mark with a strike to the upper-90 from the top of the box off an Oredigger throw-in.

The 2012 RMAC Player of the Year, Evans owns three career goals against the Patriots, twice scoring in the second round of the NCAA tournament last season, including the game-winner in the 44th minute.

Mines took a 2-0 lead shortly thereafter in the 16th minute, benefitting from a misplayed corner attempt and resulting Patriots' own goal.

With its offense silenced in the first frame, Dallas Baptist rallied within 2-1 as sophomore Ashley Cox found classmate Lindsey Eccles less than 12 minutes into the second.  

The Patriots (0-1) continued to work for the equalizer, outshooting Mines 5-1 over the ensuing 31:22; however senior Bree Archuleta sealed the game's fate with 50 seconds remaining, scoring her first on an assist from junior Kendra Bulawa. Archuleta also notched the third goal in last postseason's 3-0 upset of then-No. 4 DBU in Dallas, heading in a cross in the 55th minute.

After outshooting the Patriots 10-3 in the opening 45 minutes, the Orediggers ended with a 13-11 edge on shots and 6-0 advantage on corner kicks.

Sophomore Jayln Yates (1-0) earned the win in net, turning aside eight shots over the full 90 minutes.

Mines (1-0, 0-0 RMAC) closes its southern swing at 1:30 p.m. (MDT) Saturday, Sept. 7 against host West Texas A&M at Buffalo Sports Park. The Lady Buffs were tabbed as the preseason Lone Star Conference favorites after winning the regular season and tournament title in 2012.