GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - For the second year in a row, the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers stand atop the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, capturing the Women’s Soccer Championship in dramatic fashion. Facing top-seeded Colorado Mesa, the Orediggers battled to a hard-earned 1-0 win at Community Hospital Unity Field in Grand Junction.

The match took an early dramatic turn when Colorado School of Mines’ Jolie Jiricek was ejected in just the 13th minute, leaving the Orediggers a player down for nearly the entire contest. The disadvantage quickly showed, as a relentless Colorado Mesa side fired off 10 first-half shots while holding Mines to just one. Fortunately for the Orediggers, goalkeeper Allie Lundgren continued her strong season in the net, turning away every Maverick attempt and sending the teams into halftime locked in a scoreless tie.

With 45 minutes still to play, the Mavericks kept the pressure on, opening the second half with two quick shots in the 46th minute that forced another pair of saves from Lundgren. One effort nearly broke through in the 50th minute, when a long throw led to a dangerous header that Natalie Rouse managed to stop before the rebound clanged off the back post and out for a goal kick. Mines finally found their breakthrough in the 52nd minute following a handball call against CMU. Stepping to the spot, Callie Fuhr calmly sent RMAC Goalkeeper of the Year Keely Wieczorek the wrong way, giving the Orediggers the opening goal of the night.

Trailing 1-0, the Mavericks continued to apply relentless pressure, piling up 21 more shots in the second half alone. But Lundgren remained unshakable, finishing the 90-minute contest with 11 saves and ultimately earning Tournament Most Valuable Player honors for her heroic performance. By the final whistle, Colorado Mesa had launched 31 shots (11 on target), while the Orediggers managed just three attempts, with their lone shot on goal proving to be the difference.

Up next for the Orediggers is the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Selection Show, scheduled for Monday, November 17, at 4:30 p.m. MT. The Mavericks will also await their postseason fate during the broadcast. For both programs, the ultimate goal is a trip to Colorado Springs, where the 2025 NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championships will be held at Weidner Field on December 11 and 13.