DENVER – Jessica Mooney made a case for herself on Saturday.
 
The MSU Denver defender, who had one goal and a team-high six assists last year as a freshman, became an even bigger offensive presence while doubling her career goal total in a five-minute span of the second half, securing a 3-0 Roadrunners victory over St. Mary's (Texas) at the Regency Athletic Complex.
 
"She loves wanting to get higher in the field," MSU Denver coach Tracy Chao said. "And she's making it really difficult for us not to put her in certain places on the field. She's versatile. She has the ability technically and tactically, and she's fit. She brings a lot of qualities that make her very impactful."
 
And, yes, Mooney good-naturedly reminded her coach how much she likes moving forward and helping on the attack in a brief post-game conversation.
 
"It feels good, maybe she'll move me up," Mooney said, laughing.
 
"I really enjoy going forward. I'm mostly taking it up the flank and crossing it in."
 
The Roadrunners, after giving up an 87^th-minute goal in a 1-0 loss to national power Western Washington in Thursday's season opener, bounced back with a commanding performance.
 
Metropolitan State University of Denver had a 32-5 advantage in shots, including 15-2 in shots on goal. The Roadrunners had a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks.
 
The Roadrunners took their lead on a home run of a goal from Arizona graduate transfer Hailey Mazzola, who unleashed a laser of a drive from 35 yards away that sailed over the head of goalkeeper Erin Longford in the 19^th minute.
 
"We were joking the other day that her range is 30 yards and nothing shorter than 18 – anything closer and she's going to rocket it over the net," Chao said, laughing. "We've got players who can strike the ball, so it's about understanding where you can find a window to shoot. She found a window and obviously roofed the goalkeeper."
 
Mazzola felt she had an opening and she let it fire.
 
"I know I'm good at long distance, and I know that if it's the right one, it's the right one," she said. "I just had a feeling it was going to go in.
 
"She (Chao) just tells me to take those shots, and I'm willing to. And it was a good result. I'll hit it from anywhere."
 
Mooney then took over in the second half.
 
Her first goal came off a corner kick – and after a header from Elli Zimmer, the ball found its way to Luna Garcia, who passed it to Mooney near the top of the box. And Mooney used her strong left foot to deliver a shot to the upper right corner for her 69^th-minute goal.
 
"Luna battled for it," Mooney said. "I was right there and she touched it. All I really had to do was tap it in."
 
Less than five minutes later, Mooney took a pass from Arantxa Melendez and streaked past multiple defenders, then shot from left to right once again.
 
"Adi had it out wide and I was just kind of hanging back and she found me," Mooney said. "I knew the girl coming up on my left side was fast, so I had to go left to cut her off, and that put me on my left foot. So that was good. I had an angle and I went for it."
 
All three goals game from former Broomfield High School teammates.
 
"Hailey has been a great addition to the team," Mooney said. "I love her, on and off the field. She always works hard and she brings just a happy presence. Playing with her has been really fun, and I can't wait to play together for the rest of the season."
 
The Roadrunners are set to wrap up their three-games-in-five-days stretch to open the season on Monday at 3 p.m. against St. Edward's (Texas) at the Regency Athletic Complex.
 
"We got the shutout, which was great," Chao said. "Winning by one or winning by three, getting the shutout is big. It shows our defensive effort on that side of the ball."