Soccer Ready to Open Home Slate Against Northern Colorado and Regis

LARAMIE, Wyoming (8/19/25) – The University of Wyoming soccer team kicks off its 2025 home slate this week. The Cowgirls host Northern Colorado on Thursday at 4 p.m. before battling Regis on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches will be played at the Madrid Sports Complex and broadcast on the Mountain West Sports Network.

The Pokes possess an 0-0-1 overall record following a 1-1 draw at Drake this past Thursday. Wyoming rallied to earn the tie and really forced the issue during the last portion of the match, which pleased head coach Josh Purdum.

“The last 15 minutes (at Drake) were my favorite part of the match,” Purdum said. “We were being aggressive and looking to score. If we can bring that mentality into the first part of the match, we are going to be in good shape.”

One area that’s in good shape, and has been for some time now, is Wyoming’s defense. The Pokes have been stingy dating back to last year when they logged nine shutouts – a new single-season school.

That being said, Wyoming was shutout eight times in 2024. Therefore, jumpstarting the offense early this season is a top priority for the Cowgirls.

“We have to continue to believe we can put the ball in the back of the net,” Purdum said. “We want to create more from the backline. We want to make sure we are making calm decisions. We are a stout defensive team, and we want to showcase that. I just want to make sure we are keeping our aggressive mentality.”

Kiley Ballek was a good portion of Wyoming’s offense in the season opener. She registered one-third of the total shots and boasted the Cowgirls’ lone goal. Eliza-Grace Smith also had multiple shots with two against the Bulldogs.

Haley Bartel put forth another strong game in net to follow a season where she earned the aforementioned single-season program record for shutouts. She made a pair of saves against the Bulldogs, and it was her 14th career game allowing one goal or fewer.

Northern Colorado carries with it a 1-0-1 overall record into Thursday. The Bears went on the road and drew with Omaha, 1-1, before defeating Oral Roberts, 1-0, in Omaha.

Riley Kaali-Nagy and Lexi Tuite have accounted for the Northern Colorado scores. Kaya Lindberg and Maddie Smith have each received a start in net. Lindberg shut out the Golden Eagles and Smith allowed a goal against the Mavericks.

The Bears were picked seventh in the nine-team Big Sky Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Wyoming owns a 12-8-2 edge in the all-time series, claiming the last two matches by identical scores of 2-0.

Regis – which has yet to begin its season – was also selected seventh in the 13-team Preseason RMAC Coaches’ Poll. The game between the Cowgirls and Rangers will count as an exhibition for Regis. The two squads have met three times before, all in exhibitions, and Wyoming is 2-0-1 in those matchups.

Following the pair of home matches, Wyoming heads back on the road the following week. The Pokes play at Colorado on Aug. 31 in a 1 p.m. match at Prentup Field.