Set Piece Sends No. 7 Mines Into 3rd Round
Set Piece Score Sends No. 7 Mines Into NCAA Third Round
GOLDEN – A set piece sequence to end the first half was the only scoring NSCAA No. 7 Colorado School of Mines women's soccer would require Sunday as the Orediggers defeated St. Edward's, 1-0, in the second round of the NCAA tournament at CSM Soccer Stadium.
With the initial 45:00 approaching a close, freshman Emily Garnier lofted a textbook free kick from just in front of midfield to center box, where senior Nicho Cusack struck the deflected point blank chance from four yards with 20.5 seconds remaining.
The Hilltoppers (15-5) dialed up the offensive pressure in the second frame, earning five corners and connecting on 10 of their 13 total shots, including all three on-goal tries.
The 2014 Heartland Conference regular season and tournament champs finished with a 13-6 margin on shots and 7-3 advantage from the corner elbow.
Junior Jayln Yates (16-4-1) denied the three looks in the final 13:48 of regulation as Mines extended its single-season program shutouts record to eight in a row and consecutive scoreless minutes mark to 760:00.
Yates, the RMAC career leader in shutouts, is tied for seventh in the Division II record book with 39 blank sheets.
Along with Cusack, senior Kenzie King and freshman Laya Rybicki each placed one attempt on net.
The Orediggers (16-4-1) advance to face No. 23 Texas A&M-Commerce in the round of 16. The date and time have yet to be determined.
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