CMU vs. UT-Permian Basin

The 2018 edition of the Colorado Mesa University women's soccer team will begin their season this weekend playing against two teams from The Lone Star Conference. The Mavs first challenge will be The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB) on Aug 31 at 6 p.m. (7 p.m. CDT).  This will be the third meeting between the Mavs and the Flacons. Currently the Mavs are undefeated playing against UTPB. In the previous two meetings the Falcons went scoreless against the Maverick's defense.

This year's Mavericks defense will play an important role. "It is their home opener so they will want to protect home advantage. We will have to be focused and concentrated in defense and patient in the game. We have been looking forward to the opening game for a long time so being calm will be important."  Coach Jason Clare added on Wednesdays before the team's road trip.

For a successful game Clare mentioned, "We need to just play our way and believe in the process and take our chances when they come about. We need to come in fresh after a long road trip."

The team and coaches are very excited to start the season and cannot wait to get out on the pitch.

To follow the Mavs in their season opener live statistics can be found by clicking here.

A tough Angelo State University team

Following that game, the Mavs will travel 132 miles east of Odessa to San Angelo, Texas to battle with the Belles of Angelo State University. This game will take place on ASU field at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. CDT). This is not the first meeting between the two teams, currently the Mavs are 7-4 while playing against the Belles. 
  
When asked about the Belles coach Clare reiterated the importance of defense, "We will have to be strong defensively and creative in attack."

It's no wonder that defense will be an important aspect of Sunday's game since Angelo State University is coming of a Lone Star Conference regular season championship in 2017. Clare believes, "We need to be ready and not fear any opponent. Believing in our way will help us against a strong Angelo State team."

To watch live streaming coverage click here.

2018 Mavericks

This year's edition of the Mavericks team includes 13 upperclassmen who will contribute both offensively and defensively. When asked about who individually will need to contribute this year coach Clare stated, "We have a good balance in this team and good leadership so it will take all of us to be at our best in order to achieve our program goals."

This balance includes ten freshmen who have traveled to Grand Junction from multiple states including Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Clare added three in state players from Grand Junction, Louisville, and Parker.  

Returning junior midfielder Alexis Allard earned First-Team All-RMAC honors in the 2017 season and will bring experience to this year's team having played a total of 1,481 minutes and recording six goals.

The Mavericks defense will included a number of upper classmen who returned from last season. Seniors Heidi Wendt and Mackenzie King are a part of that defense. The experience of redshirt junior Hannah Naftanel and junior Jocelyn Ceccarelli will also contribute to the Maverick's defense. These four players combined for a total of 3,974 minutes played in the 2017 season.

Future Games

After returning from this two-game road trip the Mavericks can be seen at Walker Field on Sept 7 at 7 p.m. to play in their home opener against Cal State East Bay. Two days later on Sept 9 they will take on Humboldt State University at 10 a.m.