COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.- The No. 17 University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's soccer team (6-0, 3-0 RMAC) will face their biggest challenge of the season when they square off against No. 13 Colorado School of Mines (6-0-1, 3-0 RMAC).
UCCS and Colorado Mines make up two of the three remaining Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams that are undefeated this season. Sunday's match will be the only regular season meeting between the two nationally ranked teams in 2013, and it promises to be a thriller.
The Orediggers picked up their sixth win on Friday night in a 2-1 decision over Regis University (2-3-1, 0-2-1 RMAC). Mines outshot the Rangers 18-5 in the game. With 19 conference points, CSM is holding on to the top spot in the RMAC, just one point above UCCS.
A strong defense has been the key to the Oredigger's success, as Mines is currently ranked 9th in the nation for shutout percentage, just two spots above UCCS. Sophomore goalkeeper Jayln Yates has five shutouts in six wins to her credit. She has only allowed two goals this season.
Freshman Caitlin Kaltenbaugh, voted RMAC Offensive Player of the Week, leads the Oredigger offense with three goals for six points. All three of her goals have been game winners.
Colorado Mines holds the advantage in wins over UCCS in the all-time series with a commanding 1-7-1 record. In their most recent meeting on Oct. 26, 2012, the Mountain Lions battled hard through 110 minutes of double overtime play before settling for a 2-2 tie. History was made in the match when senior forward
Agnes Arnadottir scored her ninth goal of the season, breaking the UCCS program season points record.
The high scoring Mountain Lion offense will provide the Orediggers with their toughest challenge to date. Arnadottir currently leads the RMAC in goals with five, and total points with eleven. She has recorded at least one point in five of six games played and has two game winning goals to her credit in 2013.
Senior goalkeeper
Kelly Schroeder will take charge of a UCCS defense that has only allowed 20 shots on goal this season. The Mountain Lions have only conceded two goals thus far and have recorded shutouts against Colorado Christian and Adams State, the two highest scoring teams in the RMAC. Schroeder enters Sunday's match with a .909 save percentage. She currently has five shutouts and six wins to her credit.
UCCS will host Colorado Mines on Sunday, Sept. 29 at Mountain Lion Stadium. Game time is set for 11 a.m. The men will take the field immediately after the women's game when UCCS hosts No. 9 Colorado Mines at 2 p.m.
