GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Facing off with yet another ranked team and looking to take on their biggest challenge yet, the #20 Colorado Mesa University Women's Soccer Team hosts their final regular season games this coming weekend as they take on #14 UCCS and Regis University.
Playing over the course of four days instead of three this weekend, the Mavericks take on UCCS on Thursday night at 7 P.M. before closing out against Regis on Sunday at 12 P.M. Both games will take place at Community Hospital Unity Field.
Sunday's final home game will also feature the event of it being CMU Camp/Youth Club Day where any youth in the community that has attended a CMU Soccer Camp this year will be given free entry to the game.
LAST WEEK'S GAME
The Mavericks, ranked 20th in last week's national poll as well, remained unbeaten in RMAC play and posted their eighth and ninth consecutive shutouts over the weekend, tying eighth-ranked Colorado School of Mines, 0-0 on Friday night in Golden before winning 2-0 at CSU Pueblo on Sunday.
Junior Keely Wieczorek matched and broke her own school-record for shutouts in a season, recording her tenth and 11th of the campaign with the two decisions.
The Mavericks outshot Mines, 27-8 in Friday's match as Wieczorek made two saves while Sarah Dunn and Braelyn Baclayon then scored in the 73rd and 87th minutes, respectively, in Sunday's win over CSU Pueblo.
The Mavs outshot the ThunderWolves, 21-2 in that game as Wieczorek made one save.
The Mavs have not conceded a goal in RMAC play and have held opponents scoreless for a combined 747 minutes and 49 seconds of total game time. In addition, the Mavs have clinched a spot in the RMAC Tournament and will host two of their final three regular season games at home, both of which come this week.
They continue to lead the RMAC standings with a 7-0-1 conference mark, good for 22 points and a 2.75 per point match average.
Following the week's results Dunn was named as the conference's defensive player of the week.
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS
Sitting as the No. 2 team for offense and No. 1 team for defense in the RMAC, the Mavs have continued to dominate the statistical categories this season, being one of the most efficient teams in the nation. They have scored 28 goals to their name while giving up just four in return for a .29 goals against average.
Beyond the conference standings, the Mavs are also ranked as the fourth best defense in the country with their shutout percentage of .786 being third. In total they sit in the top-15 of four major statistical categories.
Offensively the team has been led by Kylie Wells this year, with the Senior having eight goals and three assists. Her 19 total points are tied for fourth most in the conference.
Four others on the team have scored three goals apiece with that group including Olivia Bariao-Arce, Sarah Dunn, Ellie Duncan and Parker Mairs.
In total, 11 different players have scored goals for the Mavs with 12 tallying at least one assist.
Keely Wieczorek has played every minute possible in the net this season logging 1260 minutes while recording 42 saves against 97 shots faced. She owns a .913 save percentage with her sitting at 31 career shutouts and counting.
The Mavs' 11 shutouts this season is a new program record.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
Serving as the second ranked opponent in the last three games, UCCS is ranked No. 14 coming into this week while owning a 12-2-2 (8-1-1 RMAC) record.
Currently on a three-game winning streak, they went 2-0 in their games this past week of play while defeating both New Mexico Highlands University 3-2 and Adams State University 4-0.
They own the best offense in the conference totaling 41 goals while conceding just 13 in return.
Abby Stassi has 14 goals to lead the team and the conference with her also adding three assists to own 31 points. Brooke Pavlich has six goals to rank second on the team with Emily Aguilar adding five goals for third.
Nylah Mirshafiei patrols the net recording 36 saves on 130 shots faced. She owns a goals against average of .82 with a save percentage of .735.
Closing the weekend against Regis on Sunday, the Rangers have also had much success this season as they 9-3-4 while going 5-2-3 in RMAC play. They too have clinched a spot into the RMAC Women's Soccer Championship.
This past week they went 1-1 in their games with them beating Western Colorado 3-0 before suffering a narrow 1-0 loss to Fort Lewis.
As a whole they have scored 29 goals this season while giving up just 14 to opponents. Their offense ranks second best in the conference.
Natalie Bunch is the team's scorer with nine goals and one assist. Fernanda Rodriguez adds seven goals to rank second but also has six assists for 20 total points.
Four different players have seen time in the net but in large part have been led Helen Stegner who owns 13 of the team's starts. Stegner has 62 saves while holding opponents to 1.17 goals per game.
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 the event can be purchased online at cmumavericks.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
