GOLDEN, Colo. – No. 16 Colorado School of Mines scored a goal in each half to defeat MSU Denver 2-0 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals on Sunday.
 
MSU Denver finishes the season 7-9-4 overall after reaching the RMAC semifinals for the first time since 2016.
 
"I told the team at the end of the game that they had done something that this senior class had never done, which is getting to the semifinals of the conference tournament," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Tracy Chao said. "So this is a step in the right direction. But we're certainly nowhere near where we need to be or where we want to be. So preparation for the 2020 season begins now. We're just scratching the surface."
 
Colorado School of Mines scored off a set piece at 33:05, as Jordan Barnhart floated a free kick from just inside the circle into the penalty box, and then Chaney Brugman was able to head it over MSU Denver goalkeeper Erica Torres.
 
"Fouls are going to happen, they're part of the game," Chao said. "So now it's matching up and being ready to compete and battle. It was a good header, a good finish, but she was more determined to get in the air, and get the ball on goal than we were to get the ball out of there."
 
The Orediggers made it 2-0 at 51:58, as Lindsey Tornabene scored by putting a shot into the lower left corner.
 
Mines (17-2-1) built advantages of 16-7 in shots and 7-2 in shots on goal.
 
Gabriella Gamboa had both of MSU Denver's shots on goal, both in the first half.
 
Mines, the tournament's second seed, advances to a championship matchup with national No. 1 UCCS. The Oregiggers have reached the final eight of the last nine years, winning their previous seven finals appearances.
 
"Ultimately, we've got to come out believing that we have the ability to win games like this," Chao said. "They've been there and done it and we're still trying to break through. We were soft of in a defensive mode right away."