GUNNISON, Colo. – For the first time in program history, the Western State Colorado University soccer team will be playing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament. Western clinched the tournament spot Sunday with a 0-0 double overtime draw against Colorado State University – Pueblo.
 
Western (6-8-3, 4-6-2 RMAC) clinched the eighth seed in the RMAC Tournament over rival Adams State University on Sunday. The Mountaineers will play Colorado School of Mines on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
 
CSU-Pueblo (12-3-1, 9-2-1 RMAC) came into Sunday's match looking win the RMAC regular season title. However, the Mountaineers matched the second place Thunderwolves step-for-step.
 
After CSU-Pueblo outshot Western 12-3 in the first half, the Mountaineers settled in and equaled the Thunderwolves shots in the second half.
 
After forcing overtime, Western looked to score the game winner as Izzy Engeman scored a goal four minutes into overtime. However, that goal was waved off due to an offside call.
 
Western goalkeeper Emile Eckhart recorded her first career shutout, making a school record 14 saves to preserve the draw.
 
Jessica Kresl led the game in total shots with five. This gave her the program record in career shots with 82.
 
The Mountaineers will play in the postseason for the first time in program history on Wednesday. Western will travel to face No. 10 Colorado School of Mines at 2:30 p.m. in Golden, Colorado.
 
The Mountaineers defeated the Orediggers on Oct. 16, 3-2 in double overtime earlier this season.