LARAMIE, Wyoming (10/8/24) – The University of Wyoming soccer team squares off this week against two teams near the top of the Mountain West Conference standings. The Cowgirls host No. 11 Utah State on Thursday at 3 p.m. before battling Boise State on Sunday at 12 p.m. Both games are scheduled to be held at the Madrid Sports Complex.
Wyoming sits at 3-4-5 overall and 1-2-2 (5 points) in conference play. The Aggies are 12-0-2 on the year and 3-0-1 (10 points) in league action, while the Broncos stand at 10-2-1 overall and 3-0-1 (10 points) in conference contests.
Wyoming has shown it can have success in a variety of ways, of late. The Cowgirls showcased their offensive firepower against Fresno State in a 4-3 victory and dug in defensively to draw San Jose State, 0-0.
"I still think we are our best selves when we are defending well," head coach Josh Purdum said. "You have to look at the positive of (the San Jose State game), which was keeping the ball out of the back of the net and limiting (the Spartans) to two chances. And from an attacking standpoint, we are creating chances, it's just a mentality at this point."
Alyssa Bedard leads the scoring charge, and she reached a significant milestone this past week. She has four goals in 2024 and her fourth, which occurred against the Bulldogs, gave her 15 for her career and that ties her for 10th all-time in program history. It's also the most by a Wyomingite in school history.
Seven other Cowgirls have found the back of the net this year.
Hadley Linder tops that list with three goals, while
Alisa Bunn,
Maddi Chance and
Kiley Ballek each have two scores apiece.
Goalkeeper,
Haley Bartel, has participated in every minute of every game this season. She owns 42 saves with 19 goals allowed for a GAA of 1.58.
Utah State's Tess Werts is second in the Mountain West Conference with six goals. Ten other Aggies have scored multiple times this season.
Cora Brendle has played in nine games and started seven in net for Utah State. She lays claim to 21 saves, with three goals allowed for a GAA of 0.38.
The Aggies hold a slight 11-8-2 edge in the all-time series with the Cowgirls. Thursday marks the first time Wyoming has competed against a ranked foe since 2013.
Bosie State's Carly Cross leads the conference with seven scores. Three other Broncos have scored at least four times this season.
Genevieve Crenshaw has started every game in net for Boise State. She's registered 28 saves with 11 goals allowed for a GAA of 0.85.
Boise State – which plays at Colorado State on Thursday – holds a 9-7-1 lead in the all-time series with Wyoming. The Broncos have dominated the recent matchups, holding a seven-match win streak.
The Cowgirls take to the road following Sunday. They travel to Nevada on Oct. 17 before going to UNLV on Oct. 20.
