Ava Risser scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute to lift Colorado College to a 2-1 win over UTEP on Wednesday night at University Field.
The Risser goal put a capper on a wild night that was impacted multiple times by weather delays. In total, three lightning delays altered the course of the evening, resulting in the originally scheduled 7 p.m. match not concluding until 10:30 p.m.
After dropping an exhibition contest 3-0 to the Tigers in Colorado Springs last season, the Miners showed well on their home turf against the Mountain West opponent to unofficially open the 2022 campaign, keeping things tight throughout.
Colorado College struck first in the 36th minute when Kaelin Woodruff found the net to make it 1-0.
Neither team would score again until one of the 15 UTEP newcomers would make her mark.
Playing in her first game as a Miner, freshman Mina Rodriguez made an instant impact on the attack with a left-footed equalizer in the 68th minute. The younger sister of teammate Maia Rodriguez, Mina would go on to play 35 minutes while making a nice impact on the UTEP front.
Risser’s goal in the 86th minute came off her own corner kick which angled in from the near side pocket to deliver the Tigers the victory in the exhibition.
Mariah Scott and Alaina Gilbert split time in goal for the Miners, yielding one goal each. Gilbert brought in five saves while Scott had a pair.
Colorado College outshot UTEP 13-4 on the night, including a 9-2 edge in the final 45 minutes. The Tigers had seven corners to one for the Miners.
Woodruff and Haley Williams each tallied three shots to lead the visitors.
UTEP returns to action with another exhibition on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. at University Field against Sul Ross State.
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