UW Opens Mountain West Conference Play in Colorado Springs

* University of Wyoming press release

LARAMIE -- The University of Wyoming soccer team begins Mountain West Conference play this week. The Cowgirls travel to Colorado College on Thursday for a 6 p.m. match at Stewart Field before going to Air Force on Sunday for a 1 p.m. match at Cadet Soccer Stadium.

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Wyoming holds a 2-3-3 record and has shown offensive firepower and defensive stoutness at different times through the first five weeks of the season. Head coach Josh Purdum is hoping for more consistency as his teams enters league play.

“We’re doing a nice job of creating chances, getting shots on target and getting the ball in the back of the net,” Purdum said. “We just need to find some consistency. We are looking forward to conference because I’m seeing we do have a next level in our game, and that we can put together a full 90 minutes.”

The Cowgirls have scored at least three goals in game twice and have four shutouts to their name. Five different players have found the back of the net and four of those have scored multiple times this season.

Alyssa Bedard paces Wyoming with three goals and an assist for seven points. Goalkeeper Haley Bartel leads the defensive charge, logging 33 saves with 13 goals allowed for a GAA of 1.63.

Colorado College is 4-4-1 on the season and unbeaten at home at 4-0-1. Brett Tsamasfyros leads the Tigers, having scored four times, while goalkeeper Regan Wallace has started all but one game and has turned away 31 shots with 12 goals surrendered for a GAA of 1.50.

The Tigers lead the all-time series with Wyoming, 12-7-0. The Cowgirls have taken the last two meetings, winning, 5-0, last year in Laramie and, 2-1, a couple years ago in Colorado Springs.

Air Force – which hosts Colorado State on Thursday night – is 4-2-1 on the year. Eleanor Musgrove and Mai Mateaki lead the Falcons with three goals apiece. Kylie McElroy has started all games in net and has 19 saves with six goals allowed for a GAA of 0.86.

Wyoming holds the slight edge in the all-time series with Air Force, 14-12-3. The two squads tied, 1-1, last year in Laramie, and the Falcons defeated the Cowgirls, 1-0, two years ago at the Academy.

Following the trip to Colorado Springs, Wyoming returns to the Madrid Sports Complex for four straight league games. That home stretch commences with Fresno State on Oct. 3 at 4 p.m.

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