GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University women's soccer returns for their fifth season on Thursday. The Mountaineers host Eastern New Mexico University at 2 p.m. to open the 2016 season.
 
Western will then face Montana State University – Billings at Gateway Field on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Gunnison.
 
Despite graduating seven seniors last season, the first graduating class for the Mountaineers, Western returns plenty of firepower for 2016. Western returns nine players that appeared in 13 matches or more in 2015.
 
Included in that nine was leading goal scorer Jennifer Kahle (Jr., Colorado Springs, Colorado). Kahle led the team with five goals and 11 points on the season.
 
As a team, the Mountaineers recorded a program high seven total wins and four conference victories last season. Two wins last season came against ranked opponents.
 
Heading into the 2016 season, the Mountaineers were picked ninth in the 2016 Preseason Coaches' Poll, and two players, midfielder Ingrid Alvarez (So., Aurora, Colorado) and Izzy Engeman (Sr., Fort Collins, Colorado), were named to the 2016 Preseason All-RMAC Team. This will be the first season for Western women's soccer under the direction of new Head Coach Amy Bell.
 
Western has faced ENMU twice, winning a 2014 match 3-2 after losing the 2013 matchup with the Greyhounds 0-2. Both matches were played at a neutral location.
 
ENMU posted a 4-14-1 record last season, playing their matches in the Lone Star Conference (LSC). The Greyhounds were picked to finish sixth – out of seven – in the 2016 LSC preseason poll.
 
After Thursday's match, the Mountaineers will transition to face Montana State University – Billings on Saturday. It will be the first meeting between MSUB and Western on the soccer pitch.
 
Last season, MSUB notched an 8-7-2 overall record and a 6-5-1 record in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Yellowjackets finished fourth in the GNAC to make the conference playoffs for the second straight season.
 
MSUB was picked sixth – out of nine – in the 2016 GNAC Preseason Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll. The Yellowjackets return four of their top goal-scorers from last season.
 
Both matches will have live stats, but live streaming video can only be provided for Thursday's opening season match.