Golden, Colo. - Facing what could be the end of their season and trailing 1-0, the Colorado Mesa University Women's Soccer Team would use a two-goal counterattack this evening to defeat the #4 seed Midwestern State University Mustangs 2-1 in the opening round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament at Stermole Soccer Stadium. 

With the win the Mavericks now advance to the second round of the Tournament and will face #1 seed of the Region, Colorado School of Mines on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 3 p.m. at Stermole Soccer Stadium.  

This is the Mavs second straight year securing wins in the Tournament with them reaching as far as the South Central Region Final last season and going 2-1. 

CMU is now 14-2-3 on the season and with this 14th win have now tied for the third most wins in a season in school history. Midwestern State concludes their year going 11-5-5. 

Propelling the offense this evening would be the pair of Sarah Dunn and Sauvelyne Randel who both scored the second half goals. Randel's goal would prove to be the game-winner. 

Beginning the game, through 45 minutes of action neither team would break the stalemate as the game would enter halftime 0-0 being highlighted by lots of heavily contested defense.  

In the first half alone there would be a total of 13 shots with CMU taking six of them. Three of those shots would be on goal for the Mavs compared to the Mustangs zero shots registered on goal. 

In addition, both teams would challenge with three corner kicks apiece. In the full match there would be 15 corner kicks with the Mustangs taking 10 of them. 

Breaking the scoring seal in the second half would be Midwestern State as they took their first and only lead of the day in the 52nd minute. Scoring the goal would be Lillia Besedin who took a long-range shot from 30 yards out to which initially went into the diving hands of Keely Wieczorek before bouncing off them and going into the near side of the left post. 

Despite going down with less than a half of play remaining, responding for the Mavs would be Sarah Dunn who evened up the match 1-1 in the 67th minute. Dunn's score came on a drive downfield by her and Maddie Thorsen, with Thorsen crossing the ball over to Dunn inside the penalty area to which she hammered into the top center of the net. Thorsen would earn the assist on the goal, her first of the season and her career. 

The game would once again be tied, but wouldn't stay that way for long as Sauvelyne Randel would give the Mavs their first and final lead of the day less than two minutes later when in the 68th minute she would score her 10th goal of the season. Randel scored on a long pass up field from Dunn to which she gathered inside the penalty area for a shot sliding to the near post. 

Dunn would lead the Mavs on the day with three points with both her goal and assist. On the year she has totaled five goals and four assists.

With less than 30 minutes to play in the game, CMU would showcase strong defense to hold the Mustangs scoreless the rest of the time and end their season. 

In the net, Wieczorek would only allow one goal while registering one save. She would face a total of 17 shots on the night. 

Streaming for Sunday's game will occur on the RMAC Network again with no charges. Live stats can be followed along with on our website. More information can be found at https://minesathletics.com/sports/2024/11/18/2024-ncaa-womens-soccer-southcentral-regional.aspx