In a matchup featuring two national championship programs, the defending Division III national champion Colorado School of Mines squared off against the Division II national champion Colorado Mesa  on Sunday. From the opening kickoff, CMU set the tone, controlling the match with disciplined defense, explosive attacking play and a strong team effort to secure a 46-17 victory at home.

The Mavericks weathered an early Mines attack, putting together several key defensive stands while backed up near their try line. CMU bent but refused to break, and once the Mavericks found their opportunity to attack, they made it count.

Sophomore co-captain Abby Strehlow opened the scoring 11 minutes into the match, recording the first try of her career after an impressive run and well-timed offload from a teammate. Freshman standout Addison Schreuder followed shortly after, touching down to continue her impressive rookie campaign before adding the conversion to push the lead to 12-0.

Rookie Ellie Gillman then broke through for her debut try, bursting up the middle on a powerful run. Schreuder added another try just minutes later, continuing CMU's early offensive surge and sending the Mavericks into halftime with a commanding 22-0 lead.

Mines came out quickly after the break, finding the try zone five minutes into the second half. CMU answered with its defense, as Kay Simons was rewarded for a relentless defensive performance with a try of her own.

Gillman struck again just two minutes later, finding another gap in the Mines defense and capitalizing on the opportunity. Schreuder then completed her hat trick at the 60-minute mark, extending the Mavericks' advantage to 41-5 before taking a well-earned breather on the sideline.

Mines added two more tries late in the match, but CMU continued to control the pace and finish strong. Freshman Kate Goetsch capped the scoring for the Mavericks, earning her first career try off the bench with a perfectly timed run down the outside.

While the rookies led the way on the scoreboard, CMU's veteran core set the tone defensively with physical tackles, communication, disciplined sliding defense and plenty of grit throughout the match.

The result capped off a strong team performance for the Mavericks in front of the home crowd during Alumnae Weekend, making it a memorable Sunday for current players and former Mavericks alike.

The Mavericks continue their undefeated season at home next Sat. Oct. 3^rd at 11am as they take the CMU pitch for the last time this fall. Make sure to come out and watch as they take on the University of Utah.

Trys:
Ellie Gillman (2)
Kate Goetsch
Addison Schreuder (3)
Kay Simons
Abby Strehlow

Conversions:
Addison Schreuder
Bentley Steyaert
Aryanna Landis