GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa women's lacrosse will look to build on last seasons success, starting this weekend with two conference matchups against Adams State and Fort Lewis.

In the season and home opener, the Mavericks welcome the Grizzlies to Community Hospital Unity Field, Friday Mar. 4 at 4 p.m. The Skyhawks will then make their way to Grand Junction, Sunday Mar. 6, that matchup starting at 1 p.m.

A Look Back
Finishing 9-5 overall, and 7-1 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action, Maverick women's lacrosse capped off the 2021 season with a trip to the conference tournament championship, their first appearance in program history.

Their lone loss in the loop came to long time rivals Regis, who they also fell to in the championship match.

Six Mavericks earned All-RMAC honors for their efforts, four of the six returning for the 2022 campaign.

Familiar Faces
All-RMAC First Team member from a season ago, Ashton Whittle, returns for her redshirt junior season. The Draper, Utah native contributed in multiple categories, finishing the season with 24 goals, 6 assists, 25 ground balls, and 14 caused turnovers. Leading the team in draw controls with 72, she also ranked second in the conference in that respect. She collected four points in the RMAC semifinal, providing three goals and an assist, her second four-point output of the season.

At the midfield position, Kiley Davis returns after a standout first season in a Maverick uniform. The redshirt sophomore started all 13 games last season, collecting a team leading 33 goals. She also finished second in caused turnovers with 17.

The defensive half of the field features All-RMAC Second Team returner Kelsey Viger, alongside Elizabeth Posavad who are veterans to the young team. Viger tied for most ground balls with 25, leading the team in caused turnovers with 20. Her efforts during the tournament semifinal, helped the team secure a 15-13 win over UCCS en route to the championship match.

Roster Breakdown
Of the 34-player roster, there is just one lone senior in goalie Lula Mitchell. Starting 12 games last season, the Denver native finished 4-5 defending the net, with 69 saves. Posavad and Whittle enter their fourth seasons with the Mavs as fellow upperclassman.

With a number of redshirt sophomores and true sophomores, the team welcomed 12 freshmen to the squad. Coming off impressive prep careers, the newcomers will take the field and aid in the Mavericks efforts to capture a program title.

Scouting the Grizzlies
Picked to finish 7^th in the RMAC Preseason Poll, the Grizzlies are hoping for a better 2022. Finishing 0-9 last season, they scored just four goals last season. Nina Sandler returns for her senior season, the attacker behind three of the team's goals last season. The other coming off the stick of Jazmine Palacios. Louisa Sanchez was the primary net-minder, making 67 saves including a season high 13 against Regis.

Jerome Austin takes over as the Director of both Lacrosse programs, his first season overseeing the women's program.

Scouting the Skyhawks
Voted 5^th in the RMAC Preseason poll, the Skyhawks of Fort Lewis wrapped up 2021 with a 5-7 overall record, 4-5 in conference play. They too made it to the semifinal round, falling in the other side of the bracket to eventual champion Regis.

Returning for them are goalie, Averi Basso, attack Haley Dostie, defender Rebecca Kiyokawa and midfielder Ellie Martinez. Between the pipes, Basso was the go-to picking up 106 saves to earn All-RMAC Second Team nods. Dostie was the offensive weapon last season with 22 goals and 4 assists, grabbing First Team honors.
Kikokawa leads the defensive efforts, starting all 12 games last season with a team high 41 ground balls and getting up to field to send in five goals. Martinez maintains the midfield, in her freshman season she was a primary starter tallying 11 goals and 4 assists.