GUNNISON, Colo. – The Western State Colorado University women's soccer team moved one step closer to the first conference playoff appearance with a 2-0 win on Friday afternoon. The Mountaineers defeated New Mexico Highlands University, earning the team's sixth shutout victory of the season.
 
With the victory, Western (6-8-2, 4-6-1 RMAC) moves into a tie with Adams State University for the eighth and final Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference playoff spot. The Mountaineers hold the tie-breaker against the Grizzlies.
 
Western's final regular season match will come on Sunday against the second place Thunder Wolves of CSU-Pueblo. ASU will face the league leading Orediggers of Colorado School of Mines that same day.
 
The Mountaineers dominated play against NMHU (3-11-1, 3-8 RMAC) on Friday. Western outshot the Cowgirls 17-9.
 
The scoring was opened by Western's Jessica Kresl in the 13^th minute. Kresl slotted the ball past the keeper after a terrific ball from Katelyn Mardeusz put Kresl into the box. It's the second game-winning goal of the season scored by Kresl.
 
Kresl also led all players in total shots, testing the keeper four times.
 
Just 12 minutes later, the Mountaineers would strike again. Paige Massey streaked down the left side of the field and crossed the ball over to defenders to find forward Katie Desch. Desch trapped the cross, brought it down and hammered it into the back of the net. It was the first career goal for the redshirt freshman.
 
Goalkeepers Katie Simpson-Johnson and Emile Eckhart combined for the shutout.
 
Simpson-Johnson was ejected in the 43^rd minute after receiving a red card.
 
Western will need to match ASU's performance on Sunday to make the conference tournament, which starts on Wednesday, Nov. 2.