GUNNISON, Colo.  Western Colorado post-season fate is in their hands – currently in eighth place – needing to secure a few victories in order to maintain their current spot in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference standings. On Thursday (Oct. 20) the Mountaineers will play Metropolitan State University of Denver and then will play Black BHills State on Sunday (Oct. 23).

The top-eight teams qualify for the RMAC tournament. Final opponents for Mountaineers: Metro State is fifth (5-1-3), Black Hills State is 12th (1-8) and Fort Lewis is ninth (3-6).

MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• Western will need to snap their four-game losing streak this weekend and get on a winning streak if they hope to make the RMAC tournament. While the Mountaineers have lost their last four games they were competitive in their recent games against Regis and Colorado School of Mines which shows they are capable of turning things around quickly.
• Statistically, Taylor Bottoms and Laura Pelino are the leading goal scores for Western each recording two goals. Reece Mercer is leading in the assist category with three, Natasha Kasozi is not far behind with two assists of her own.
• In the goal, Aubree Orosco has recorded 44 saves (first in RMAC) this season leading to her having a .759 save percentage (eighth in RMAC).

ROADRUNNERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• Metro State has been on a hot streak as of late, winning their last four games – each being shutout victories. Over the course of four games the Roadrunners have scored 12 goals total. Metro State could help Western get into the RMAC tournament as their final two games are against Fort Lewis and Black Hills State.
• Jaimy Sawaged is the leading goal scorer for the Roadrunners with five goals, while Paloma Teran and Elli Zimmer each have four goals apiece. Katy Coats and Dani Nelson are leading in the assists category each have three on the season.
• Kayla Caballero is the main goal keeper for Metro State having a .917 save percentage and 11 saves.

YELLOW JACKETS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• Things haven't gone Black Hills State way this season, resulting in them currently being on an eight-game losing streak.
• Darby Whiteley is the only Yellow Jacket player to record a goal in RMAC competition, which came in their 1-0 victory against Colorado Christian University (Sep. 16). Makayla Dannelly is the goal keeper for Black Hills State recording a save percentage of .735 and 36 saves.

ON THE FIELD NEXT
Western Colorado will play their final regular season game on the road on Wednesday (Oct. 26) against Fort Lewis College.