DENVER – Sarah Reiber scored eight minutes into the second half and Westminster held on for a 1-0 victory over MSU Denver on Sunday in RMAC women's soccer action.
 
Westminster improved to 5-2-2 overall and 2-2-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. MSU Denver, shut out by two top RMAC teams over the weekend (the Roadrunners tied Dixie State on Friday) dropped to 3-6-2 and 2-2-2.
 
"I still believe in this team," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Tracy Chao said. "We still have seven (regular-season) games left, four weekends. We've still got an opportunity."
 
MSU Denver had advantages of 15 shots to eight, seven shots on goal to three, and five corner kicks to two. But, as has been the case more than the Roadrunners would have liked this season, the statistical advantage didn't add up to a victory.
 
"It's hard for her to keep saying 'You guys played hard, you did an amazing job,' taking the good pieces away," MSU Denver goalkeeper Erica Torres said. "At the end of the day, it's not a result that we want or need. She's tired of saying the same old thing. We need to step it up."
 
Westminster played short-handed the final 18:45 after a red card was issued, but the Roadrunners were unable to push through.
 
"We had five corner kicks, and we probably had five or six free kicks at or around the 18," Chao said, summarizing the full game. "Those are free chances right there. So, eight to 10 chances and we're not capitalizing. We've got to make those dangerous."
 
The Roadrunners' previous three games had gone to overtime, the first time since 2014 MSU Denver played more than 90 minutes in three straight games. Sunday's match had the feel of a school-record fourth straight extra session, before the Griffins broke through.
 
After the goal, the Roadrunners weren't able to get the equalizer.
 
"We knew Westminster was a good team," Chao said. "Two top-half of the conference teams this weekend. We knew we wouldn't get as many shots as we have in the past. But we're going to have to make the most of the chances we get, and we're still creating chances. It's tough."
 
MSU Denver is back at home for games Friday against Adams State (3-5, 1-4) and Sunday against Fort Lewis (3-3-2, 2-1-2).
 
"We've got to figure out what it's going to take," Chao said. "What is our what? What are we going to do together? Collectively how are we going to put some goals in the back of the net?"