LARAMIE, Wyo. (8/20/24) – The University of Wyoming soccer team plays a pair of games this week. The Cowgirls travel to Colorado on Thursday for a 7 p.m. match at Prentup Field before hosting South Dakota State in their home opener Sunday at 12 p.m. at the Madrid Sports Complex.
Wyoming lays claim to an 0-0-1 record. It went to Washington on soccer's 2024 opening night last week and played the Huskies to a 0-0 draw.
Taking into consideration the Cowgirls' exhibition at No. 3 BYU a couple weeks ago, and they've held their foes scoreless for 180 straight minutes. Much of that credit goes to goalkeeper
Haley Bartel, but head coach Josh Purdum credits all 11 eleven on the pitch for strong play defensively, thus far.
"We are going to take (the Washington) shutout as a barometer for where we need to be defensively," Purdum said. "We know we can compete defensively. We are organized, and we are doing a good job with our individual responsibilities."
Wyoming fired 15 shots in Seattle. It created effective waves of offensive pressure throughout the match, but the obvious task in the future is cashing in on scoring opportunities.
"We need to continue to create chances, and as we are creating chances, we need to make sure they're finding the back of the net," Purdum said. "We are looking for more goals. It's about the decisions on the ball. It's hard to score goals, and against a quality opponent that's not always going to happen. We created some good chances (at Washington) that we'll be able to look back on and think, 'We can score on that in the future.'"
Colorado holds a 1-1-0 record. The Buffaloes defeated Marquette 3-0 at home and then dropped a 3-2 decision to No. 8 North Carolina on Sunday in Boulder.
Five different players have found the back of the net for Colorado in 2024. Hope Leyba has created the most offensive pressure with a team-high seven shots to go alongside her one goal.
Jordan Nytes has started both games in goal for the Buffaloes this season. She's made 13 saves and surrendered three goals for a GAA of 1.5.
Colorado, which made the NCAA Tournament a season ago, was picked fourth in the preseason Big 12 Coaches' Poll. The Buffaloes own a 10-2-1 lead in the all-time series against Wyoming.
South Dakota State, which also made the NCAA Tournament last year, was selected runner-up in the preseason Summit League Coaches' Poll. The Jackrabbits hold a 1-1 record – they play at Colorado College on Thursday – having lost at home to Kansas before blanking Northern Colorado, 2-0, in Greeley.
Three different players have scored for South Dakota State this season. Adrianna Agbayani has created the most pressure with a team-high five shots.
Stephanie Leckwold has started both games at goalkeeper for the Jackrabbits. She's logged six saves and allowed two goals for a GAA of 1.33.
Wyoming and South Dakota State have met once before back in 2005. The Cowgirls won that contest, 4-0, in Laramie.
Following the match against the Jackrabbits, Wyoming returns to the road. The Cowgirls travel to Northern Colorado on Sept. 5 for a 7 p.m. match at Jackson Stadium.
