LARAMIE, Wyoming (11/8/24) – The University of Wyoming soccer team didn't have the 2024 conclusion it wanted. However, that didn't make the season a failure or one devoid of highlights.

In fact, the 2024 campaign was filled with firsts. And it's one that first-year head coach Josh Purdum won't forget.  

"There's a lot we can build on," Purdum said. "There's a lot of positives, especially how many minutes our freshmen and sophomores received this year. We are going to miss some really good senior starters. But we have to look forward and build off of this year."

But before that, a look back at 2024 is warranted. It started with a bang, as Wyoming defeated No. 3 BYU, 1-0, in an exhibition in Provo. The game's lone goal was Gabby Clutter's first-career score.

The regular season also started memorably. The Cowgirls went to Washington and drew, 0-0, with a Huskies' squad that would go on and finish in the top one-third of the Big 10, own a win over a top-five team and advance to the Big 10 Tournament semifinals.

The Mountain West Conference season also featured a program-defining result. Wyoming blanked No. 11 Utah State, 2-0, in Laramie. It represented the Cowgirls' first win over a ranked foe, as they were 0-14-0 going into the match with the Aggies.

The shutout was also impressive, seeing as Utah State was the second-highest scoring team in the country going into its game at Wyoming. It was also one of nine shutouts for Cowgirls' keeper Haley Bartel who boasted a single-season program record nine perfect sheets.

"Those firsts – the shutout record, getting results against Washington, BYU, Utah State – are some of the highlights that come to mind," Purdum said. "And just traveling with the team. It was a great group of girls. I had a fun year with them."

Two seniors from that group carved their names into the history books. Alyssa Bedard and Maddi Chance both finished their careers in the top 11 in terms of all-time goals scored – Bedard at No. 7 with 17 and Chance at No. 11 with 15.

Those two's accolades don't stop there. They're also the top-two goal scorers hailing from the state of Wyoming in school history. Bedard, Chance and all the seniors are a group that Purdum will always appreciate as they set the foundation for his first program as a head coach.

"Their buy-in, right away, was the most important thing," Purdum said. "All the seniors had an incredible year in production. But it was also their leadership. They were able to show what it takes to win."

Looking forward, and the future is bright for Cowgirl soccer. At times this season, seven of the 11 on the pitch in a given game were freshmen or sophomores. It's important that the young group takes the next step and that starts now.

"We need to continue to grow within our game model and individually as players," Purdum said. "The challenge is going to be can we continue to build on what we set in place. Can we build a leadership identity and build on what we had?"

What they had was a successful and memorable 2024 season. The time is now to make 2025 an even better one.