LARAMIE, Wyo. (March 4, 2021) – After over a year off the pitch, the Wyoming soccer team will host the its season-opener on Friday against the Utah State Aggies followed by a match-up with the New Mexico Lobos on Sunday. Both games are scheduled for 1 p.m. MT at the Louis S. Madrid Complex. The last time the Cowgirls played a regular season competition was Nov. 1, 2019 against Colorado State, a match that ended up in a 0-0 tie in Ft. Collins. Due to COVID and social distancing practices, the capacity of the facility is being limited to 300 fans.
 
"After a long time away from Mountain West Conference competition, this Friday will be a welcomed opportunity for the Wyoming Soccer program to get back on the field for a match," head coach Pete Cuadrado said. "We have had a great training environment since August, but now is the time to put those trainings to the test on the field."  

Wyoming returns nine starters and 17 letterwinners from last season's squad that went 7-7-5 overall and 4-5-2 in the Mountain West. In all, the squad consists of four seniors, five juniors, ten sophomores and ten freshmen. Entering his ninth season at the helm, Cuadrado has an overall record of 73-62-24 during his tenure at UW and a 40-33-10 mark in league play.
 
Several individuals will be looked upon to contribute during the 2021 campaign, including sophomore Jamie Tatum.  She finished her first season of play with 54 shots, six goals and two game winning goals on her way to being selected to the MW All-Newcomer Team. Junior Indianna Asimus started in all 19 matches while adding six goals on 29 shots plus 13 points. In goal will be junior Hannah Lee, she had a 1.39 goals against average and 59 saves in 1,058 minutes.
 
This weekend's game will also be the opener for Utah State who return ten letterwinners and six starters. The Aggies went 8-10-1 a season ago overall and 3-7-1 for a tenth place finish in the league. They were recently picked tenth in the Mountain West preseason coaches' poll. Utah State is coached by Heather Cairns who is in her 18th season with the program.
 
This is the 16th meeting between the two teams. The Aggies lead the series 7-6-2. The last time the two teams met was October 20, 2019 with the Cowgirls coming out on top with a 2-1 victory in Laramie. 
 
"Utah State is a team who always plays hard, so we will need to be prepared for a great game.  We have gone back and forth with them since they've joined the MW, and we are expecting this Friday to be another good match."
 
New Mexico will open up its 2021 campaign on Friday against the Colorado State Rams in Ft. Collins.They were picked to finish third and received a first place vote in the recent MW women's soccer coaches poll.
 
The Lobos went 11-8-1 overall and 6-4-1 a season ago while reaching the semifinals of the MW tournament.
 
This will be the 32nd meeting between the two squads. New Mexico leads the series 17-9-5. The last time the two met was Sept. 29, 2019 with the Lobos earning a 3-0 win in Laramie.
 
"Looking to Sunday, it will be a change to play New Mexico as part of a weekend with Utah State.  But again, that's a welcomed change if it means we get to play.  New Mexico is also a team who always plays hard, and our team knows to be prepared for two good games on the weekend." 
 
Live stats and video will be available at GoWyo.com, along with live stats. Follow @Wyo_soccer on twitter for updates throughout the game.