GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Taking to the other side of the mountains this upcoming weekend, the #20 Colorado Mesa University Women's Soccer Team continues their four-game road stretch when they take on the pair of #8 Colorado School of Mines and CSU Pueblo.
Playing Mines first, the Mavericks and Orediggers meet on Friday night at 6 P.M. at Stermole Soccer Stadium. Colorado Mesa will then head down I-25 on Sunday morning as they take on the Thunderwolves at 11 A.M. at Art & Lorraine Gonzales Stadium.
Heading into this weekend the Mavs need just one win out of their two games to clinch a spot into the RMAC Women's Soccer Championship.
LAST WEEK'S GAME
The Mavs, ranked 20th in last week's national poll as well, continue to roll and post shutouts as the Mavs won their sixth and seventh consecutive games while extending their shutout streak to six with road wins over New Mexico Highlands and Adams State this past weekend.
Early goals paved the way in both games as Olivia Bariao-Arce scored in the sixth minute of Friday's 2-0 win at New Mexico Highlands before Olivia Barrett scored a second minute goal against Adams State on Sunday, which proved to be the difference.
Ellie Duncan also scored against New Mexico Highlands while Keely Wieczorek made three saves to record the shutout.
The Mavs dominated the game, outshooting the Cowgirls 25-4 while in the victory over Adams State allowing just two total shots with none on goal.
The Mavs have not conceded a goal in RMAC play and have held opponent scoreless for the last 567 minutes and 49 seconds of total game time.
Sitting at 10-2 overall, they lead the RMAC standings with a 6-0 conference mark, good for 18 points.
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS
Maintaining their stay as a top-10 defense in the nation, the Mavs have only given up four goals total this season while scoring 26 in return.
They average 2.17 goals per game which ranks in the top-50 of the nation, with 13 of their goals coming in the last five games.
Individually, Kylie Wells serves as the team leader with her totaling eight goals and two assists this season as she owns 18 points. She currently ranks fourth in the conference in goals.
Beyond Wells, three others tie for second on the team in goals with the trio of Olivia Bariao-Arce, Ellie Duncan and Parker Mairs all having three.
Wells, Olivia Barrett and Sarah Dunn also all are tied for the assist lead with two. Nine others have one assist apiece.
Keely Wieczorek has anchored the net totaling 39 saves with nine shutouts this season. She is allowing just 0.33 goals per game while owning a .907 save percentage.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
The Orediggers are 9-2-1 this season while being tied with Colorado Mesa for the lead in the conference with a 6-1 record. They are currently ranked as the No. 8 team in the nation.
Their only loss in conference comes against Regis University with them winning four games in a row since the loss. This past week they won games three and four of that streak with wins over #10 UCCS and Western Colorado.
Heading into this weekend will be the first time since last year's NCAA Regional game that CMU and Mines will meet with Mines narrowly advancing in the Tournament after winning in a penalty kick shootout. Despite the Orediggers moving on the game was ruled a tie due to penalty kick shootouts not affecting records.
So far this season they have been led by Bella Campos in large part who was named as the Co-RMAC Player of the Year in 2024. She has totaled 10 goals and three assists while being leading the conference in points.
Natalie Rouse sits second on the team with three goals while Afton Rasco is the assists leader with six.
Allie Lundgren serves as the goalkeeper totaling 40 saves while only allowing 10 goals this season. She owns a 0.89 goals-against average with a save percentage of .800.
Following Friday's game the Orediggers host Westminster University on Sunday.
The final opponent, the Thunderwolves, are 3-5-5 this year while sitting at 2-2-3 in the conference and in seventh of the league standings.
They went 0-1-1 this past week with a 0-0 tie against Fort Lewis College before dropping a tight 1-0 loss to #10 UCCS.
As an offense they have been outscored 10-17 this season while only scoring two goals in their last five games.
The trio of Jenna Elledge, Carlia Johnson and Abby Menk each have two goals apiece this year to lead the squad.
Alva Hellenius owns the most time in the net with 43 saves to this point while holding opponents to 1.23 goals per game.
Prior to Sunday's game against the Mavs, the Thunderwolves host Westminster on Friday as well.
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.
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
