GOLDEN, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's soccer team eliminates Midwestern State to advance to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship tournament. Casey Tadlock earns the game winning goal just before halftime with her fourth strike of the season, first of the playoffs.
 
INSIDE THE MATCH-UP
Final: #14 UCCS 1, RV MSU 0
Records: UCCS (14-2-5, 9-1-3 RMAC), MSU (11-3-6, 10-0-4 LSC)
Facility: Stermole Soccer Stadium | Golden, Colo.
All-Time Series:  UCCS defeats Midwestern State for the first time in program history, they are 1-2 vs the Mustangs all-time.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 

• The Mountain Lions earned the first quality chance of the match in the third minute, when Mikaela Carlson was left unmarked on the near side for a run to the box. She directed a pass that was just too far ahead of Brooke Pavlich, allowing Lauren Short to pounce in goal for MSU to eliminate the opportunity.
• Madison Brinkley gave the Mountain Lions their first scare of the match ten minutes into action when she was left open on the left wing into the penalty area. Brinkley took one too many touches allowing Mirshafiei to recover and make the save on the point blank opportunity.
• Just minutes later, a textbook Mountain Lion buildup ended on the feet of Taylynn Levi just above the 18. Levi's shot would sail just outside the top left corner of net, as MSU escaped unharmed.
• Play calmed down until the 30^th minute when UCCS began to get chances up the field once again. MSU held their breath once more as a high ricochet fell just in front of the near post, where Abby Stassi stood waiting. Stassi's header, however, was just wide and out for a goal kick.
• UCCS was back in just three minutes later, as a throw in gave UCCS a chance deep in the MSU half. A skip header from Emily Aguilar was tipped on by Luka Johnson, but luckily for the Mustangs, Sloane Sullivan was situated on the goal line at the back post to clear the shot out of harm's way.
• UCCS had a golden opportunity with six minutes to play in the first half, as a MSU turnover left Luka Johnson on a breakaway chance, but her shot would go out high above the bar to keep the game scoreless.
• UCCS nearly conceded the first goal with just over two to go in the opening half when a defensive breakdown left Alinessa Salinas with a path to goal, but she rang her shot off the post, as once again the match remained scoreless.
• UCCS answered the scare with the icebreaker on the other end, as the Mountain Lions were able to first earn the corner. Mikaela Carlson would take the corner and perfectly play it to the back post for the header from Casey Tadlock, as UCCS headed into the intermission with the 1-0 lead.
• First quality chance of the second half was the best chance of the game for Midwestern State so far. A free kick restart just inside the UCCS half was redirected by Nyxalee Munoz but was just out of frame resulting in a UCCS goal kick.
• The first corner kick of the game for the Mustangs was earned in the 75^th minute. The near-side set piece was lifted right at the front post, and Malia Groshong was there for the Mountain Lions defense. She calmly headed the ball to midfield, as UCCS was able to reset.
• Danger struck again for UCCS with just over 15 minutes to play, as a broken play gave the Mustangs several shots on goal. The final shot was the most dangerous off the foot of Taryn Sueltz but it bounced wide. This time it was the Mountain Lions with the opportunity to exhale.
• Two minutes later, it was MSU in the Mountain Lions 18 once again, this time on a clearance attempt by Malia Groshong, but again it was Sueltz who nearly blocked the clearance into the net, but it went out of play over the crossbar. The Mustangs continued to push as the fought for their season.
• UCCS looked certain to double their lead as Abby Stassi beat her defender in the near corner, laying it off in the box for a wide Emily Aguilar. Aguilar had her shot spin off her shin-guard, as the ball flew high over the bar and out for a goal kick.
• It was Midwestern State with a chance once again with just under six to go, as a deflection made its way through the Mountain Lion defense, but Nylah Mirshafiei read it the whole way and made the diving stop at the far post.
• Midwestern State continued to come in waves down the stretch, but UCCS was able to keep MSU out of the net to advance to the second round with a one-nil result.

 
STATS FROM THE GAME
 

• UCCS dominated possession in the first 45 minutes, holding the ball for two-thirds of the first frame. They also out-shot the Mustangs 11-3, though only four landed on frame.
• UCCS also held the stark advantage in set piece opportunities, with four corner kicks as the Mustangs had none.
• Casey Tadlock scored her fourth goal of the season, with Mikaela Carlson picking up her second assist of the fall.

 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
 

• Casey Tadlock scored her fourth goal of the season, with Mikaela Carlson picking up her second assist of the fall.
• The Mountain Lions and Nylah Mirshafiei earn their 11^th clean sheet of the season, with it being the tenth solo clean sheet for Mirshafiei.
• The Mountain Lions advance to the second round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship tournament for the first time since the 2023 season which saw them make it all the way to the NCAA DII Quarterfinal match.

 
UP NEXT
 

• With tonight's win, the Mountain Lions advance to the second round and take on second seeded Colorado School of Mines on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Golden.

 
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
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