DENVER – The goals were thrilling, but perhaps no moment was bigger – or provided more jubilation – than the goal that wasn't.
 
MSU Denver goalkeeper Ross Miller stopped a well-struck penalty kick, preserving a 1-0 first-half lead, and the Roadrunners went on to a 2-0 victory Thursday night over Lubbock Christian at the Assembly Athletic Complex.
 
"Other than scoring, watching your keeper get a big save like that and then going up and absolutely screaming in his face – there's no better feeling than that," MSU forward Alec Rodriguez said. "It pumps the team up."
 
Said coach Nick Kirchhof: "It was massive. That was a big one. Incredible save, great composure, and he obviously he pushed it far enough away that it was out of reach for a rebound. Fantastic, big-time save."
 
The PK stop was one of four saves Miller had while posting his second straight shutout. He's unscored upon in his last 139 minutes and has a goals-against average of 0.67.
 
"That's as good as it gets for a keeper, along with a clean sheet," Miller said. "And it was nice that after that they went out and got a second goal."
 
Aidan Bates scored at 11:00 and Rodriguez added a goal six minutes after Miller's big save to account for the scoring.
 
At 2-0-1, MSU Denver is off to the program's best start since the 2014 team opened 6-0.
 
"There's been more of a commitment to defending," Kirchhof said. "We've changed some things. If the front six do their job, the back four is the last resort. Tonight we made the back four defend quite a bit, but they were up to the task. We bent quite a bit, but we didn't break."
 
Bates' goal was his seventh game-winner – and second in a row – in only 22 career games, which is already tied for 10^th in program history with Leonard Trujillo (1990-93).
 
Aaron Biggerstaff, at nearly top speed, lofted majestic cross from deep in the right corner, which Bates headed in firmly from near the left post.
 
"That's exactly what we practice in training," Kirchhof said. "Great movement. A fantastic ball by Aaron. Aidan getting on the back post being in a good spot and finishing with authority. It was great that they executed it in the moment, at pace."
 
The goal by Rodriguez in the 39^th minute came after Dallas Baier sent a long free kick to Kazuki Peralta, who flicked it off his head to Rodriguez at the top of the box. Rodriguez then worked past a defender and sent a shot to the lower left corner.
 
"Their guys just weren't ready," Rodriguez said. "It was bouncing all over the place and I said, 'Let me jump in there, take a touch and smash it as hard as I can and hopefully it goes in.' It was just one of those goals that you have to sniff out."
 
Said Kirchhof: "It was great fight. It wasn't the prettiest goal, but he was ready for it."
 
"And Kaz was really lively. He gave us a good burst of energy when we needed it. We're expecting that from him every time he steps on the field."
 
It was the first goal for Rodriguez in just his second game since transferring from Division I Incarnate Word.
 
"Coming in from a new team, I definitely wanted to make my mark," Rodriguez said. "Whether I'm starting or not, I just want to feel like I'm part of the team and that I'm helping them move forward."
 
Miller, who last year was called upon to make 93 saves – the most by any Roadrunner since 1998 – has had much more steady play in front of him, keeping him sharp for the biggest moments.
 
"Last year he was standing on his head (making multiple incredible saves), and we were still giving up three goals a game," Kirchhof said. "This year it's been a big emphasis to make it difficult for teams to score on us."
 
Said Miller: "I'm feeling great that I can do my part to help the defense. They've been solid the first three games. Two shutouts already and we're only three games in."
 
Next up is Sunday's 1:30 p.m. matchup with No. 7 Fort Hays State (Kan.), also at the Assembly Athletic Complex.
 
"It's been better, but we're not going to get carried away," Miller said. "We've still got work to do. We're only three games in. Just keep doing what we're doing and hopefully the results will continue."