LARAMIE, Wyo. (Oct. 4, 2018) – The Wyoming soccer team has not played in front of its home crowd in three weeks since the University of Iowa match on Sept. 8. Even with five straight games on the road, the Cowgirls have a 7-3-2 overall record and 2-2-0 in Mountain West play. This has been a result of strong leadership from its six seniors and major contributions from 12 freshmen on the 2018 roster.

Five freshmen have played in every game this season with seven of the 17 goals scored by the team coming from a freshman. One player who has been a primary contributor is Sekoya Romero, a Laramie native who had dreams of becoming a Cowgirl.

"I have grown up in Laramie my whole life and I have been watching this team play for so long and I have always wanted to be like them," Romero said. "I played for the high school and we have always looked up to them so it just feels weird that I am the one in the uniform and I love it. I love being a Cowgirl."

Romero has been a primary factor in the Cowgirl attack, using her speed to wear down opposing defenses coming off the bench to begin most games. She is tied for the second most goals on the team with two, and third on the team with 14 shots, eight of those going on target. Both marks are just behind senior Annika Clayton and Brittney Stark, who have contributed three goals this season. One of the most difficult things for Romero to adjust to in college athletics so far has been the physicality.

"I'm small so I have always been used to being pushed around, but it is definitely more physical," Romero added. "I have had to adjust and I am still adjusting, but I can already feel myself getting better and improving each practice and each game."

Another freshman who has found herself making a significant impact with the team has been backup goalkeeper Hannah Lee, a freshman from Las Vegas. Serving behind junior Cristina Salazar, has been a motivator for her inspired performances whenever she steps onto the pitch.

In Lee's seven appearances, she has had four goals scored against her, along with 19 saves, three wins, one draw and one loss to her record.

"When it comes to shots, college is tougher than high school I would say," Lee said. "Teams have been hitting the gyms for three, four years compared to me coming in first starting weights, so it is definitely a challenge, but I have just learned to take it in practice and learn from it."

After having been on the road for so long balancing academics and team chemistry can be a cause for concern. But the freshmen and upperclassmen have learned how to work side by side in maintaining a common focus as a team.

"We love traveling together," Romero said. "Those bus rides bring us closer because we spend so much time together."

"We have all come together as a team when it comes to studying in the hotels together, or even just hanging out on the bus rides there it is just a good time to have," Lee said.

Adjusting to life on campus can be difficult, but the seniors have been a positive influence.

"This is definitely a large class to have as freshmen, but each of us have an upperclassman that we can go to about anything," Lee said. "Honestly, we can go to any player with any problem we have as a freshman and they give us a advice when it comes to classes and school."

The most intriguing aspect of competing for your hometown university is playing in front of your friends and family, and that is one of the most important things that Romero loves.

"It is so cool. They have always watched me and supported me during high school," Romero said. "But I think at this level, it is a little bit different and more exciting. I love having them so close that they can watch me all the time."

The Cowgirls return to action at home Friday against Colorado College at 3 p.m. MT, and Sunday against Air Force with a kickoff at 12:30 p.m.