LARAMIE, Wyo. (September 11, 2019) – The Wyoming soccer team will continue its non-conference slate this weekend with two matches. UW will host the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Friday at 4 p.m. MT before heading out on the road for a contest against the Montana Grizzlies on Sunday. That game is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Missoula.
 
The Cowgirls are 2-1-2 on the season after a dominate 4-1 victory over Idaho State on Sunday afternoon. They currently sit in a tie for fifth place in the Mountain West standings.  For the second straight game, redshirt freshman Jamie Tatum recorded a team-high with four shots and three of them coming on goal. Senior Michaela Stark followed with a career-high two goals, which helped her earn Mountain West player of the week honors. Sophomores Hannah Lee and Riley Furbush split time in goal recording a combined eight saves.  Idaho State was led by Michaela Didericksen and Bambei who each had four shots in the match. The Cowgirls outshot the Bengals 16-13.
 
Four Cowgirls, Indianna Asimus, Stark, Tatum and Keelie Wortmann, currently lead the way with two goals apiece. Tatum has a team-high 14 shots with nine of them on goal.  Lee has played in all five games in net, has 15 saves and a 1.56 goals against average.
 
"Our team showed great effort in the match Friday night against a very physical and tough team in Baylor.  We were able to generate some quality chances, and need to reflect on that and use it to move us forward.  The team did make some great adjustments in a quick turnaround against Idaho State, and we're looking for the team to carry some momentum from that match into the games this weekend," head coach Pete Cuadrado said. "The upcoming matches will feature teams that have always played well against us, and pose challenges that will be positive in the development of our team.  We are going to have to continue to be good in front of goal, and keep working to win 50-50 battles.  I think our team really values the fact that we have to bring great effort every game, and we're looking forward to really challenging ourselves this weekend."
 
Southern Utah enters Friday's contest with a 0-5-0 mark. Last time out, they dropped a 2-0 contest against UTEP. The Cowgirls finished in a 2-2 double overtime draw with the Miners in the first match of the season.
 
The Thunderbirds return six starters and 12 letterwinners to a team that went 2-15-1 overall and 1-7-1 in the Big Sky a year ago, while welcoming ten newcomers. They were picked to finish ninth in the Big Sky preseason coaches' poll. Southern Utah is coached by Fred Thompson who is in his third season with the program.
 
This is only the third meeting between the two teams. UW leads the series 2-0. The last time the two teams met was September 14, 2018 with the Cowgirls coming out on top with a 2-1 victory in Cedar City.
 
Montana is currently 0-3-2 overall. Last time out, they dropped a 1-0 contest against California on the road. They have played all five matches on the road this season.
 
The Grizzlies return seven starters and ten letterwinners to a team that went 7-9-6 overall and 3-2-4 to finish fifth in the Big Sky. They are projected to finish third in the Big Sky preseason coaches' poll. Montana is coached by Chris Citowicki who is in this second season with the program.
   
This will be the 13th meeting between the two schools. Montana leads the series 5-3-4. The last time the two met was Sept. 7, 2018 with the match ending in a 0-0 double overtime draw in Laramie. 
 
Live stats and video will be available at GoWyo.com, along with live stats. Follow @Wyo_soccer on twitter for updates throughout the game.