In a tense game between two of the league’s best, it often comes down to who blinks first.
On Friday, the Skyhawks blinked first.
No. 5 Colorado Mines scored in the 82nd minute to top the Fort Lewis College women’s soccer team 1-0 on Friday in Golden.
The stats mostly were even. FLC (10-3, 6-3 RMAC) outshot the Orediggers 8-7, while Mines held a 4-3 edge in shots on goal. Each team also had exactly three corner kicks.
“To be honest with you ... that’s probably one of the best Division II women’s soccer games I’ve ever seen,” FLC head coach Damian Clarke said. “I thought both teams tactically were both really inteligent and savvy.”
The difference was Bree Archuleta. She scored her fourth goal of the season on assists from Anna Evans and Cari Smith, and that lone tally was enough to keep the Orediggers undefeated on the regular season at 13-0-1 and 10-0-0 in the RMAC.
“A great opportunistic finish to end the game by a team that knows a lot about winning,” Clarke said.
Caitlyn Espinosa stopped four shots for the Skyhawks, and Jaylyn Yates earned the clean sheet for the Orediggers with three saves.
“We defended as well as I’ve ever seen an FLC team defend,” Clarke said. “In all reality, we played as good of football when we had chances to as I’ve ever seen a Fort Lewis team play.”
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
