LARAMIE, Wyo. (8/14/23) – Plenty of experience returns to the University of Wyoming soccer team's backline this season. In fact, everyone is back, and new faces enter the fray, giving head coach Colleen Corbin plenty of capable options in the defensive third.

"We have all of our old faces coming back and new faces coming in," Corbin said. "It has been competitive, and it has been fun."

Kylee Holstad comes back as the only player on the roster who started all 20 games in 2022. She's joined by defenders Taylor Brook and Keelie Wortmann who started 19 and 17 games, respectively, but also showed off their offensive chops, as well.

Brook netted a game-winning goal at Nevada in a pivotal come-from-behind road win. Wortmann gave her team an early advantage against Fresno State during the Cowgirls' strong conclusion to the season.  

Sydney Miller, Rae Gerking and Lily Brongo round out the returnee defenders. Miller made 16 starts and played in all but one game, while Brongo made five starts with 19 appearances and Gerking participated in 13 games.

"The upperclassmen have been very, very intentional about bringing the younger players along," Corbin said. "I've seen them have intentional conversations in training and outside of training, making sure everyone is on the same page and everyone feels confident and comfortable going into all sorts of different situations."

As mentioned, those conversations have involved the freshmen. The batch of youngsters includes redshirt freshmen Jessie Stonehouse and freshmen Khari Carreno, Alyssa Montgomery, Rylee Shroder and Amayah Singleton.

What the group lacks in experience, they make up for in ability. Corbin is elated at what the new group can bring to the table.

"We are excited to have some depth in that lineup this year," Corbin said. "We feel that we can play in a couple different formations and still be strong and competitive.

"It's always exciting when you feel like your freshmen can come in and make an impact, but it's really exciting when your returners – your seniors, your leadership – are embracing the newcomers and they understand that we'll be at our best if they're at their best."

Wyoming opens its season Thursday. The Cowgirls play host to Colorado School of Mines at 4 p.m. at the Madrid Sports Complex.