GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Looking to continue their strong start to conference play, the #22 Colorado Mesa University Women's Soccer Team look to take on a pair of Western Colorado foes this upcoming weekend.
Playing a split schedule, the Mavericks will head to Durango to start their weekend when they take on Fort Lewis College Friday evening at 4:30 P.M. before returning home Sunday to host Western Colorado at 1 P.M.
Sunday's game will also serve as the team's senior day to honor the team's seven seniors. Those seniors include Braelyn Baclayon, Shelby Lyon, Isabel Schauber, Ally Wachtel, Kylie Wells, Bree McCullough and Peyton Bundy.
LAST WEEK'S GAMES
The Mavericks, ranked 20th in last week's national poll, got off to a strong start in RMAC play, posting a pair of weekend shutouts at home. The Mavs, who are now 6-2, 2-0 RMAC, defeated Colorado Christian, 1-0 on Friday night and beat MSU Denver, 2-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Kylie Wells scored goals in both games and now has seven goals, including four game-winners this season. The Fruita product leads the RMAC in goals and is tied for the conference-lead in game-winners.
Olivia Barrett also scored her first goal of the season to put CMU up 1-0 in the 34th minute of Sunday's game while adding an assist in the Friday win. Barrett was named as the RMAC Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday thanks to her efforts.
The Mavs outshot Colorado Christian, 25-1, and MSU Denver, 16-4 while Junior goalkeeper Keely Wieczorek recorded shutouts in both games and now has five this season and 25 in her career.
The Mavs are 5-0 at home and have not conceded a home goal this season. They are unbeaten in their last 13 home games (12-0-1) over the past two seasons.
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS
Staying as one of the strongest offenses and defenses in the conference, the Mavs have scored 15 goals this year while conceding just four goals against them. They rank as the third highest offense with that total while sitting in second for fewest goals given up. In corner kicks they rank first with 44.
Individually, Wells sits at seven goals to lead the team and conference with her scoring in every home game this season. Sarah Dunn and Brooklyn Baird both rank second on the team with two goals apiece while four others have notched one goal.
Wells and Barrett are also tied for the assist lead with two each. 10 others have recorded one assist.
Wieczorek has held down the net totaling 28 saves while facing 65 shots. She currently owns a .875 save percentage while allowing just .50 goals per match.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
Starting their weekend against Fort Lewis College, the Skyhawks have played to a 3-4-1 record this season while starting conference play 0-2 this past week. In their two games they were defeated by UCCS and Colorado School of Mines with both being 1-0 losses.
Heading into Friday's matchup this will be the fifth straight game that the Skyhawks are taking on an opponent who is either ranked in the top 25 of the nation or receiving votes.
Last time the Skyhawks and Mavs met was in the RMAC Conference Tournament last season with the result being a tie but featured the Skyhawks narrowly moving on in the playoffs after winning in a penalty kick shootout.
This season the Skyhawks have outscored opponents 9-6, with Jenna Salazar serving as the team's leader in three goals scored. Kiana Jamerson and Abila Tapia have both added two goals as well. Trinity Lujan has anchored the duties in the net with her totaling 25 saves and four shutouts.
Closing the weekend against Western Colorado on Sunday, the Mountaineers have struggled this season as they are still searching for their first win while sitting at 0-8-1 (0-1-1 RMAC). They were able to tie with CSU Pueblo 2-2 this past week before being taken down by UCCS 5-0.
They've been outscored by opponents 28-8 so far while having three goals be their highest game total yet. Natsuki Murakami leads the team with three goals herself while five others have each scored once. Four different goalkeepers have shared the net with the group totaling 42 saves on 144 shots faced.
Prior to Sunday's game the Mountaineers take on Westminster University on Friday in Gunnison.
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN
Streaming will occur via the RMAC Network through their pay per view plan with live stats available online to follow along with. Tickets for Sunday's game can be purchased online at cmumaverick.com/tickets or in person at the gate.
COLORADO MESA TURNS 100
The CMU Century Celebration stands as the cornerstone of Colorado Mesa University's year-long centennial celebration. This ambitious initiative unites our community in honoring a rich heritage while boldly envisioning the next hundred years of academic excellence.
Led by the Steering Committee and six specialized sub-committees, we're orchestrating a transformative experience that will resonate through generations. Each committee brings unique expertise to create an unforgettable commemoration of our past, present and future.
To learn more about Colorado Mesa's 100-year celebration, visit cmucentury.com
