ALAMOSA, Colo.  Western Colorado soccer digs deeper into its Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference schedule with weekend games beginning Friday at Adams State University and concluding on Sunday at New Mexico Highlands University.

WESTERN COLORADO HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2024 Stats

• The Mountaineers are 2-4-1 overall and 1-0 in the RMAC. The draw on the schedule was against then-20th ranked Washburn (Kan.) University in a neutral site contest, and the RMAC victory came in Western's most recent game against University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
• The 2-1 victory over UCCS came off the right foot of Ellie Kubena, who launched a free kick from 45 yards out into the upper right corner of the Mountain Lions goal – with just 15 seconds remaining in the game.
• That win broke two streaks. It was the first RMAC-opening win by the Mountaineers since the 2017 season, and also broke a UCCS nine-match win streak over Western.
• Not to be overlooked in the victory was goalkeeper Aubree Orosco's single-game career high 13 saves. And the lone goal she surrendered was a Mountain Lion shot that deflected off a Western defender and snuck inside the right post.
• The Western attack sees five different goal scorers, led by two each from Cianna Thomas and Kubena.
• Orosco is 2-2-1 on the year, posting a 1.90 goals-against average and accumulating 47 saves.

ADAMS STATE HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2024 Stats

• The Grizzlies have dropped both of their RMAC matches, getting shutout by Westminster and then Colorado Mesa. They are 2-4-1 overall, with wins coming against Oklahoma Panhandle State and against Sul Ross (Texas) State.
• Adams State is 6-8-1 against Western Colorado, but it has won the past two games, both by 1-0 scores.
• The Grizzlies have been strong in their defensive third despite their record, averaging just 1.00 goals allowed per game. They have also not been shy in the attacking third, out shooting opponents 71 to 46 through the first seven games.
• Redshirt-senior Karlee Caballero has led the ASU attack, notching four goals—one game-winner— and assist to lead the Grizzlies with nine points.
• Junior goalkeeper Ashly Bartley has taken the majority in minutes on the line for ASU, starting five games and playing in six games to produce a 1.27 GAA and accumulating 14 saves.

NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2024 Stats

• The Cowgirls, entering Friday's game against Fort Lewis College, are 2-5-1 overall and 0-2 within RMAC play, dropping a 6-0 decision to Colorado Mesa and a 6-1 game to Westminster.
• Highlands is 5-6 against the Mountaineers overall, with Western Colorado winning the past two outings by counts of 5-0 and 3-1.
• Defense has been an issue so far this season for the Cowgirls, who have surrendered a total of 22 goals for an average of 2.75 goals against per game. They are also being out shot 132-67 through the first eight games.
• Kate Rayner and Acacia Rodriguez both have two goals for the NMHU attack, with two other players scoring one goal each. Rayner has one game-winner, coming in a victory over Sul Ross State.
• Peyton Greener has logged the most minutes (497) in goal for the Cowgirls. In six starts and seven games she has come up with 34 saves while posting a 2.89 GAA.

UP NEXT
The Mountaineers are back in their home confines of Katy O. Rady Field for their next two games. They entertain Colorado State Pueblo on Oct. 11 and Colorado Mines on Oct. 13 in a pair of RMAC contests.