GUNNISON, Colo.  Western Colorado soccer heads to sunny California for the weekend, taking on Cal Poly Pomona for the first time in program history, and then Cal State Dominguez Hills for just the second time.

WESTERN COLORADO HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2023 Stats

• Western was dealt a pair of heartbreaking home losses last weekend, get tripped up by a 1-0 count on a second-half goal against Chaminade (Hawaii), then surrendering a halftime lead in a 2-1 loss to Midwestern State-Texas, which scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute—on a penalty kick.
• The Mountaineers got their first goal of the season in that Midwestern State game when Natsuki Murakami launched a 30-yard shot into the upper, right corner in the 19th minute for Western's first lead of the season.
• Mei Hayashizaki continued to provide sensational play in goal for the Mountaineers, keeping them in both of last weekend's games. She made five saves in the loss to Chaminade and came away with eight in the Midwestern State contest.
• Western is posting a shots on goal percentage, 0.528, that is better than its opponents (0.472) this season. The Mountaineers are just not finding the netting behind opposing goalies.

CAL POLY POMONA HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2023 Stats

• The Broncos are 1-2-1 this season, their lone win coming in a 2-0 victory at Azusa Pacific.
• Forward Jaclyn Cuevas has scored three of the team's four goals this season, earning the junior the first goals of her collegiate career.
• Tara Oper has the other goal for CPP and also has the only two assists.
• A transfer from Azusa Pacific, Bella Hara has played every minute in goal for the Broncos this season. Her four goals allowed comes to an average of 1.00/game, and her 17 saves include an .810 save percentage.

CAL STATE DOMINGUEZ HILLS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2023 Stats

• The Toros and Mountaineers played to a 1-1 draw last season in the first meeting between the two programs.
• At 1-3 this season, Dominguez Hills picked up its one victory in a 3-2 win over host Fresno Pacific.
• Of the team's four goals this fall, Cynthia Ramirez has two of them, the freshman scoring the first two in the win at Fresno Pacific.
• Maya Figueroa and Azalia Salazar each have one goal for the Toros, Salazar's winning the game at Fresno Pacific with her goal in the 89th minute.
• Dominguez Hills has been outshot 81-33 so far this season.

UP NEXT
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action is next on the schedule for Western upon its return from California. The Mountaineers travel to University of Colorado Colorado Springs for a noontime game on Sunday, Sept. 24.