UW Takes First Road Trip of The Season to South Dakota, Omaha

* University of Wyoming press release

LARAMIE -- The University of Wyoming soccer team takes to the road for the first time this season. The Cowgirls travel to South Dakota on Thursday at 5 p.m. before playing at Omaha on Sunday at 12 p.m.

Wyoming improved its form away from home last season. After failing to claim a road victory during the fall 2021 season, the Cowgirls won three true road games in 2022.

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“That was definitely an area where we grew a lot last season,” head coach Colleen Corbin said. “It will be fun to put the pedal to the medal and get on the road and show up and hopefully bring the same energy that we bring at home. That was a big goal for us last year, and I’m looking forward to watching our maturity and our growth impacting that side of the game this season.”

The opening homestand produced a 1-0-1 record. Wyoming drew with Colorado School of Mines, 1-1, in the season opener and followed that up with a 1-0 victory over Weber State.

Both matches featured significant statistical achievements. Jamie Tatum found Maddi Chance for Cowgirls’ score against the Orediggers, and the assist gave Tatum 58 points for her career, which ties her for first in program history. Jazi Barela netted the goal against the Wildcats just 45 seconds into the contest, and that’s the second-fastest goal in program history and the quickest since 1999.

Wyoming and South Dakota will be meeting for the eighth time Thursday. The Cowgirls own a 5-2-0 edge in those matchups.

The Cowgirls and Coyotes last squared off two seasons ago in Laramie. Wyoming rallied for a 2-1 victory with goals from current Cowgirls, Nikayla Copenhaver and Alyssa Bedard.

Corbin logged her third career victory that day. And even though that wasn’t too long ago, she doesn’t anticipate pulling anything from that matchup and applying it to Thursday’s match.

“Just like us, they’re a different team,” Corbin said. “Right now, we are so intent on making sure our identify is solidified and our kids understand their role and what the rotations look like and the defensive structure and the press.”

The Coyotes – who were picked seventh in the Summit League Preseason Coaches’ Poll – lay claim to an 0-1-1 record. They fell to Utah Tech at home, 3-1, prior to drawing with Southern Utah, 0-0, in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Omaha – who was selected third in the Summit League Preseason Coaches’ Poll – owns a 1-0-1 record. The Mavericks downed Southern Utah, 4-0, in their season and home opener before a scoreless draw with Utah Tech on Sunday in Omaha.

Wyoming is 3-0-0 all-time against Omaha. The Cowgirls downed the Mavericks, 4-0, in a delay-filled match two seasons ago in Laramie that featured four goals from current players – Chance, Tatum, Faith Joiner and Eliza-Grace Smith.

Wyoming returns home the following week. The Cowgirls play host to rival Northern Colorado on Sept. 3 for Senior Day.

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