GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The #15 Colorado Mesa University Women's Soccer Team continues their trek of nonconference opponents this upcoming weekend as they host Northwest Nazarene University at home before heading north to take on Division I school in University of Wyoming.
Thursday's game will be the Mavericks' third straight game at home to start the season with their matchup against the Nighthawks set to begin at 7 P.M. at Community Hospital Unity Field before they head to Wyoming on Sunday afternoon to take on the Cowgirls at 1 P.M. at Madrid Sports Complex.
In addition to these two games there will also be a neutral site game taking place on Saturday night at Unity Field between Northwest Nazarene and Western Colorado at 7 P.M.
LAST WEEK'S GAMES
Opening their season with a strong 2-0 start, the Mavs defeated a pair of Lone Star Conference schools this past weekend with them taking down both St. Edward's University and St. Mary's University each in 4-0 wins.
Both wins featured dominant scoring from the Mavs with four different players totaling goals and three of them having two or more. Kylie Wells led that group with three herself and scored the game-winning goal in both matches. Sarah Dunn and Brooklyn Baird each added two goals apiece while Ellie Duncan added the final one on the weekend. There were nine assists recorded in aiding the goals scored with nine different players each recording one assist apiece.
Beyond the scoring there were also two shutouts recorded with goalkeeper Keely Wieczorek notching seven saves on 16 shots faced. In the Mavs' 4-0 win against St. Edward's Wieczorek became the program's all-time leader in shutouts with 21 in her career. She then moved that record to 22 in the following 4-0 win against St. Mary's. Thanks to her efforts Wieczorek was named as the conference's week one goalkeeper of the week as announced on Tuesday.
Also announced on Tuesday were the first official rankings of the 2025 season by the United Soccer Coaches Association with the Mavs jumping seven places this week and moving to #15 in the nation after being #22 in the preseason rankings.
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS
Northwest Nazarene serves as the Mavs' first opponent this week and in doing so will be the third time in school history that the two have met. They each faced off last season in their most recent matchup with Colorado Mesa snagging the win in a 1-0 decision.
The Nighthawks are currently 0-1 this season with their only game played having been a 0-1 loss to Westminster this past weekend. Beyond their only official game they have participated in two other scrimmages and one exhibition with that match resulting in a 1-1 draw with College of Idaho.
The Nighthawks were picked to finish fifth in the GNAC this season and are under new leadership as Head Coach Jenny Jaggard is entering her first season. Serving as a key member on the squad is Savanna Herz with her being the only All-GNAC member to return to the team after leading the team in goals scored in 2024 with three.
Following Thursday's matchup, the Mavs will take to the road as they face off with Division I University of Wyoming on Sunday in each of the schools first official meeting. The only other time the two have met was in 1999 during an exhibition match in which the Mavs won by a score of 1-0.
This season the Cowgirls have played to a 3-3-1 record with Sunday's match being the second time they'll face off against a Division II opponent after defeating Regis University this year by a score of 3-0 on August 24.
The Cowgirls are led by Alyssa Waller this who has totaled four goals with one assist so far with three of those goals being game-winners. Kiley Ballek has added two goals herself to aid the offense. In the net, Haley Bartel has started all five games for the team with her only allowing three goals and totaling 16 saves.
Prior to Sunday's game, the Cowgirls take on Idaho State University on Thursday on the road.
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN
Streaming for Thursday's game will occur via the RMAC Network through their pay per view plan with live stats available online to follow along with as well. Tickets for the event can be purchased online at cmumavericks.com/tickets or in person at the gate. For Sunday's game against Wyoming, streaming can be found at themw.com with more information available on Wyoming's athletics webpage.
