Box Score

GOLDEN, Colo. — Anna Evans scored in the seventh minute to lead No. 8 Colorado Mines (17-2-3) to a 1-0 win over Fort Lewis (15-3-4 overall) today in the NCAA Division II Central Region championship.

Megan Woodworth chipped a pass over the top to the left side of the box to set up Evan's short shot for her 13th goal of the season at 6:25 to provide the game's only score.

Kelsey Neal's header less than two minutes later nearly doubled the score, but sailed over the crossbar.

“The kids fought hard,” said FLC head coach Damian Clarke, who has guided his Skyhawks to the NCAA playoffs four times in his five seasons as head coach. “Unfortunately, Mines got what they needed in the first half to get what they needed done.

“Hats off, Mines is good,” said Clarke. “They're tough and they didn't break. They bent and bent and bent, but didn't break today. That's a team that defends as well as any.”

The Orediggers dominated possession and scoring opportunities in the first 15 minutes, but play tilted in the Skyhawks' advantage later in the first half and for much of the second.

Skyhawk striker Hayley Hollenga nearly leveled the score at 1-1 in the 37th minute, but her point-blank chance was stopped by CSM's Penny Rogers. It was Rogers' lone save of the match. Hollenga later hit the crossbar in the 75th minute.

Amanda Raso stopped three shots for the Orediggers, including a one-v-one opportunity by Erin Onat late in the match with most of the Skyhawk defenders cheating into CSM's offensive half.

Shots favored Colorado Mines 10-5 overall, 3-1 in shots on goal. The Orediggers owned a distinct 8-1 advantage on corner kicks.

With the win, the Orediggers advance to the Elite Eight, where they'll host the winner of the winner of Friday's Midwest Region title matchup between No. 1 Grand Valley State (19-0-2) and No. 9 Northern Kentucky (17-4-0). The Elite Eight matchup takes place at 1 p.m. Sunday at the CSM Soccer Field.

Fort Lewis loses just four seniors to graduation — midfielders Jane Barden and Sara Egbom, defender Michelle Felten, and Hollenga.

“I'm just very proud of my seniors and their careers,” said Clarke. “I can't complain. They've won more games than any other group of girls in the history of Fort Lewis. They've made us a perennial power. They will be missed.”