LARAMIE, Wyo. (10/6/21) – The University of Wyoming soccer team is eager to take the field this week for a pair of Mountain West Conference matchups against Air Force and Colorado College. Sure, the Cowgirls are excited to play in front of a partisan crowd at the Madrid Sports Complex.
But more than that, Wyoming – sitting at 5-6-1 overall and 1-3-0 in conference play – is keen on showcasing its best self during the meat of its league schedule.
"The girls are starting to feel this urgency to showcase what they're actually capable of," head coach
Colleen Corbin said. "I think there's now this feeling that they don't want to get through the entire season having not shown their best."
The Cowgirls have shown flashes of its best during different points of the season. And many of those instances have occurred at home.
Wyoming is 5-0-1 in Laramie this fall, and that includes a 1-0 mark in MWC play. The Cowgirls have attained that record impressively, outscoring foes 15-7.
"There's definitely a comfortability with being in Laramie," Corbin said. "We have this pride with defending our home turf. Making Laramie a real hard place to play is the goal."
A 3-1 home victory over San Diego State – its only loss in conference – is an example of Wyoming's best self. That game was a window into the high ceiling Wyoming possesses.
The challenge that exists now is duplicating that performance against the Aztecs. That begins in familiar surroundings Friday at 3 p.m. against the Falcons.
Redshirt-junior midfielder
Jamie Tatum will aid in that effort. She paces the Cowgirls with 10 points coming off three goals and four assists.
Junior forward
Faith Joiner and sophomore
Alyssa Bedard also have three goals to their names. Senior defender
Savannah Warner has logged two goals this season, while five others have found the back of the net once.
Redshirt-junior
Alex Daws has made nine starts in net for Wyoming. She has recorded 43 saves and owns a GAA of 2.06.
Air Force – holding an overall record of 5-5-1 and a 2-2-0 mark in league action – has enjoyed success against Wyoming of late. The Falcons have won the last three in the series, as 2016 represents the last time the Cowgirls have defeated Air Force.
Faith Lee and Mia Otero lead Air Force offensively. Both have scored three times this fall.
Cammi Bych has started all 11 games in goal. She has registered 37 saves and has a GAA of 1.59.
Colorado College is 2-8-1 overall and 1-2-1 in MWC play. Prior to a pair of losses during the 2021 spring schedule, Wyoming had won four in a row in the series.
Jacqui Hand and Lily Byrne both have two goals apiece to pace the Tigers. Colorado College has tallied a total of six goals all season.
Taryn Benham has made every start in net for the Tigers. She has 23 saves and a GAA of 1.36.
"Every team is going to bring a new challenge to the table that we are going to have to overcome," Corbin said. "It's still a learning process for everyone, which is fine. But being able to use the momentum we always have at home will be helpful."
