Courtesy Photo by SweetwaterNow
Laramie Wy – The Wyoming Cowgirls soccer team is gaining regional recognition just in time for one of the biggest rivalry matches of the season. The Cowgirls started the season ranked No. 2 in the Mountain West Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Wyoming is finishing up non-conference play this week as the Cowgirls are set to play the Colorado State Rams on Thursday.
The Rams are not off to a great start, as their current record is 1-5-1. However, they are coming off a 2-2 draw against previously unbeaten Kansas State. The Cowgirls enter the rivalry matchup with a 6-2 record and a four-game winning streak. The Cowgirls are optimistic about the game as the leaders of the group have shown great power on the field. Alyssa Glover leads the way with four goals and three assists, while Haley Bartel was recently honored as the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
The game against Colorado State traditionally extends beyond conference standings, as it is part of the Border War. The Border War is a long-standing tradition between Colorado State and the University of Wyoming.It was recently announced that the two schools reached an eight-year agreement to preserve Border War contests in soccer, volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball beginning with the 2028-29 athletic season.
Thursday’s soccer game gives the Cowgirls an opportunity to add another chapter to the rivalry while preparing for the beginning of Mountain West Conference play. As you may remember Colorado State joined the PAC-12 this year. The Border War will also be Wyoming’s final opportunity to build momentum before the conference portion of its schedule.
During the Cowgirls’ nonconference matchups, Wyoming has been able to come out with several key wins, most notably shutouts against Gonzaga and Eastern Washington before an exciting three-goal comeback victory over Montana.
“We are confident but not cocky,” Kiley Ballek said. “We’ve had a good start to our season, and we are looking at finishing our non-conference on a good note to set us up for conference play. And with it being CSU, it’s a big game, so we are excited.”
These nonconference games have allowed the Cowgirls to show off their power players. The Cowgirls return eight starters from last season, including fifth-year midfielder and forward Alyssa Glover and goalkeeper Haley Bartel.
Glover has been leading the Cowgirls with four goals and three assists for 11 points. Bartel has also been a key part of Wyoming’s success in goal, helping the Cowgirls record back-to-back shutouts during their current winning streak.
With a mountain west ranking, a four-game winning streak and conference play around the corner, the Cowgirls will look to finish their nonconference schedule on a high note against their longtime rival.
Stay tuned to the Branding Iron as we cover the Border War on Thursday.
