DENVER – Sophomore Addison Mandeville scored twice in a span of 30 seconds and MSU Denver women's soccer erupted for a season-high four goals Thursday afternoon, cruising past New Mexico Highlands 4-0 in an RMAC showdown at the Assembly Athletic Complex.
The four goals marked a team high for the Roadrunners this season, surpassing their previous single-game total of two. MSU Denver also generated 12 shots on goal, its most in a match since recording 14 shots on goal against New Mexico Highlands on Oct. 12, 2023.
The Roadrunners improved to 2-3-4 overall and 1-1-1 in RMAC play, earning their first conference victory of the season.
MSU Denver wasted little time finding the breakthrough. Addison Osilka scored her first career goal as a Roadrunner just 2:47 into the match, finishing off an assist from Madrid Mack to give the red and blue an early 1-0 advantage.
The Roadrunners continued to pressure the Cowgirls and doubled their lead in the 19th minute. Maya Woods found the back of the net at 18:14, scoring her second goal of the season off an assist from Tatum Flynn.
MSU Denver carried its 2-0 advantage into halftime after outshooting New Mexico Highlands 10-4 in the opening 45 minutes.
After the Cowgirls managed to keep the Roadrunners off the scoreboard for much of the second half, Mandeville provided the decisive offensive burst in the 71st minute.
Mandeville scored her first goal of the afternoon at 70:42, finishing a pass from Ella Castle to push the Roadrunners' lead to 3-0. Just 30 seconds later, Mandeville struck again, this time converting an assist from Grace Johnson to make it 4-0.
The two goals marked the second and third of Mandeville's career, and her back-to-back strikes put the Roadrunners firmly in control.
MSU Denver finished the afternoon with an 18-6 advantage in shots and an 12-5 edge in shots on goal. The Roadrunners also held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Morgan Shirley made four saves across 75 minutes to earn the shutout before Mariah Fletemeyer finished the match in goal, making one save.
The victory also extended MSU Denver's dominance in the all-time series. The Roadrunners have now defeated New Mexico Highlands eight consecutive times, dating back to September 2018, while outscoring the Cowgirls 38-0 during that stretch.
MSU Denver now turns its attention to another RMAC test Sunday, when the Roadrunners travel to Colorado Springs to take on UCCS at 1 p.m.
