GOLDEN, Colo. - In a battle of two of the nation's best defensive teams, it was #7 Colorado School of Mines that cracked the code as they defeated Westminster 3-0.

The Orediggers (10-1-0, 5-1-0 RMAC) picked up an important league win over the Griffins (6-2-1, 3-1-2 RMAC), who were only a point behind them in the table coming into the weekend.

Laya Rybicki, Emily Townsend, and Jaclyn Knott provided the scoring as Emily Garnier handed out two assists. Shots were a relatively even 10-7 in favor of Mines, but the Orediggers never felt in danger as they got out to a quick lead and dominated possession throughout the first half.

Acacia Ortiz set up Mines' first goal with a great pass forward to Brooke Stoermer, who found space in the box for Rybicki to rifle it to the roof of the net at 14'. Townsend converted on a header at 32' off Garnier's corner kick, and a second-chance corner rebound at 44' allowed Garnier to whip it in to Knott to make it 3-0 at halftime.

Westminster had two true chances in the second half with Madison Roemer hitting the post with pace at 69' before Tiana Cerciello forced a save by Shannon Mooney at 87'.

NOTABLES
- Sam Zumbro (74:54) and Mooney (15:06) each had a save in the combined shutout. Mines solved Westminster 'keeper Breanna Empey, who had a 0.41 GAA coming in, as she had three saves in allowing three.
- Townsend's goal was her team-best fifth of the year. She had another goal disallowed for offsides in the second half.
- Rybicki and Knott each hit their first goals of the season. They are the 13th and 14th different Orediggers to score this season.
- Garnier extended her RMAC assists lead to seven, while Ortiz notched her fourth of the year.
- Mines held RMAC leading scorer Madison Roemer (7G) to one shot on goal. Westminster came into the weekend allowing only 0.44 goals per game; they had not surrendered three in a game this year.
- Mines improved to 2-0 all-time versus the Griffins.
- Mines remains tied atop the RMAC table with Fort Lewis, who also won 3-0 Friday night against Black Hills State.

NEXT UP
Mines hosts Colorado Mesa Sunday at noon.