ALAMOSA, Colo. — Shay Norden broke a scoreless match in the 73rd minute and the Adams State defense held Colorado Christian off the board as the Grizzlies earned a 1-0 RMAC victory Sunday afternoon at the ASU Soccer & Lacrosse Field. The win moved Adams State to 5-3-1 overall and 1-2-0 in RMAC play, while Colorado Christian fell to 1-5-4 overall and 0-3-1 in conference action.
Norden provided the difference for Adams State, scoring her first goal of the season at 72:33 off an assist from Sophia Miera. Norden finished with two shots and one on goal, while Denali Levin led the Grizzlies with three shots and placed two on frame.
The Grizzlies and Cougars played through a scoreless opening 45 minutes. Colorado Christian created the first shot on goal in the ninth minute, but Mariely Jimenez made the save. Jimenez added another stop in the 21st minute as the Adams State defense kept the Cougars off the scoreboard.
Adams State generated several opportunities of its own during the opening half. Keira Robertson put an attempt on frame in the 16th minute, while Lorena Vargas-Galvan struck the crossbar in the 23rd. Annabell Haugen and Levin added shots before the break, but the match remained scoreless at halftime.
Colorado Christian continued to apply pressure after halftime, but Jimenez and the Adams State back line kept the clean sheet intact. Jimenez stopped an Olivia Martin attempt in the 53rd minute before Levin forced CCU goalkeeper Kenzie Kunitz into a save at 63:11.
The breakthrough came at 72:33. Miera set up Norden, who converted the opportunity to give Adams State the 1-0 advantage. The goal marked Norden's first of the season and ultimately stood as the game-winner.
From there, the Grizzlies protected the one-goal advantage. Jimenez made another save just 43 seconds after the goal as Colorado Christian attempted to answer.
Colorado Christian finished with a 16-10 advantage in shots and put seven attempts on goal compared with four for Adams State. The Cougars also held a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks, but the Grizzlies' defense kept all seven shots on goal out of the net.
Jimenez played 86:43 in goal and recorded six saves without allowing a goal, while Kena Keyes played 3:17 as the two combined for the shutout. Aja Lister and Ashlynn Mustain each played the full 90 minutes for an Adams State defense that secured the clean sheet.
Up Next
The Grizzles look to keep the momentum Thursday October 1st against Western Colorado Mountaineers at 3p.m at home at the ASU Soccer and Lacrosse Field in Alamosa, CO
