LARAMIE, Wyoming (8/11/26) – The University of Wyoming soccer team kicks off its 2026 regular season this week. The Cowgirls host Drake on Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Madrid Sports Complex before traveling to battle Northern Colorado on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Jackson Stadium.

The Pokes – who finished 2025 at 7-6-6 overall and 2-4-4 in Mountain West Conference play – won their one and only preseason exhibition this past Sunday. They defeated Denver, 1-0, behind an 86th minute goal from Alisa Bunn.

The score sprouted from a constant amount of pressure throughout the match. Wyoming outshot the Pioneers, 21-2, so even though there was only one goal to show for it, the Cowgirls are feeling confident in their progress ahead of Thursday's competition.

"We are going to be ourselves and play the way we know how to play," Bunn said. "We've been focusing a lot on our mindset side of things and mentality. I think we are clicking really well, and we are going to just keep building on that."

Bunn's score was her first in two years. She'll look to be a more consistent goal scorer in 2026, and that's what Wyoming needs. While Alyssa Glover led the conference with 11 goals last season, only six other players found the back of the net and only one, Kiley Ballek, scored multiple times with three scores to her name.  

A big reason as to why the Pokes still had a decent year in 2025 was the play of goalkeeper, Haley Bartel. She logged eight shutouts and owned a league-best GAA of 0.89.

Bunn, Glover, Ballek and Bartel are four of eight returning starters. A collection of Division I transfers, JUCO transfers and freshmen, along with the reserves from a season ago, will look to fill in some of the holes and provide depth.

Drake enjoyed a very strong 2025 at 9-6-4 overall and 6-2-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Bulldogs won the league's regular-season crown before falling in the conference tournament.

The Cowgirls and Bulldogs drew with one another, 1-1, in last year's regular-season opener in Des Moines, Iowa. Wyoming possesses a 3-1-2 edge in the all-time series, which includes a 1-0-1 mark in matches contested in Laramie.

Wyoming also owns a lead in the all-time series with Northern Colorado. The Cowgirls are 13-8-2 against their Front Range Derby rivals and have won each of the last three matchups.

The Bears struggled last year, finishing at 3-10-6 overall and 2-4-2 in Big Sky play. They were selected to finish ninth in the conference's preseason Coaches' Poll.

Following the trip to Greeley, the Pokes return home to host Weber State on Aug. 20. That tilt is set for 4 p.m. at the Madrid Sports Complex.