LARAMIE, Wyo. (8/15/22) – Any number of characteristics can be used to describe the ideal forward for University of Wyoming soccer head coach Colleen Corbin. Crafty, competitive, physical and relentless are just some of many descriptors.

It's a long list of traits, and Corbin believes she has a long list of players capable of exemplifying what lies on that comprehensive list.

"It's a competitive group," Corbin said. "They all want to be on the field. They all are actively trying to get in front of the goal and want to be scoring goals, and that's exactly what we want out of our front line."

Sophomores Alyssa Bedard and Maddi Chance spearheaded the forward group a season ago. Bedard made 16 appearances and 15 starts, scoring four goals – second on the team – with two assists, while Chance started all 19 games and netted three scores, which ranked third on the squad.

Senior Faith Joiner played in all 19 matches, making 16 starts, and found the back of the net three times. Junior Nikayla Copenhaver appeared in 18 games with five starts and logged a pair of goals and one assist.

Junior Camille Hawley and senior Haylee Rice round out the returning forwards who saw the field during the fall 2021 season. Hawley played in 14 matches and Rice played in two.

Senior Amber Vokoun was injured and didn't play last fall. She carries with her a wealth of experience, appearing in 48 career games with 26 starts, has four career goals and four assists.

Freshman Lily Brongo was added to the team in the offseason. She and the rest of the aforementioned players are all vying for time in a deep and talented positional group.

"It's always fun to be able to make subs and feel like you're adding something – a different look, a different type of forward," Corbin said. "We do have a lot of pace and athleticism up top, so to be able to make those subs with the level not dropping, and potentially raising, is super exciting."

Wyoming's regular season gets underway Thursday at Northern Colorado at 7 p.m.