Cowgirl soccer to open season

By Wyoming Sports.org

The Danny Sanchez Era officially begins Friday for the Wyoming Cowgirl soccer team, as it travels to Kalamazoo, Mich., for its regular-season opener Friday against Western Michigan, beginning at 9 a.m. MT. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

The Broncos finished with a mark of 4-11-3 in 2007 and a Mid American Conference record of 2-7-2. Thus far Western Michigan has had two exhibition matches it defeated Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis 6-1 and Davenport 1-0.

“All road games are competitive, but this one will be tougher since it’s just a one game trip” said Sanchez, who won two Division II national titles at Metro State before taking over the Cowgirls earlier this year. “We don’t know a lot about his team, but I’m looking forward to it and we will learn a lot about our team with this game.”

Wyoming returns eight starters and 15 letterwinners from the 2007 squad, including senior forwards Tamika Wilson and Amanda Lathrop. Wilson was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year in the MWC a year ago, while Lathrop earned second team All-MWC honors in 2007.

Fellow seniors Corey Thieman (defender), Jamie Scarcliff (goal keeper), and Laine Hubbard (defender) will also lead the Cowgirls on the field this season.

Other returners from last season for the Cowgirls are midfielders Juliana Candelaria (So.), Emily Layton (Jr.), and Kerstyn Etheridge (Jr.), as well as defenders Emma Wilson (Jr.) and Bostyn Burger (Jr.).

“Everyone worked hard this preseason and there are a few more starting places up for grab. I’m looking forward to how we will perform in real games” said Sanchez.

The Cowgirls won their only exhibition match of the year when they defeated Fort Lewis College, 4-0, in Laramie on Aug. 15. Although stats do not count for an exhibition match, Lathrop scored the first three goals for the Cowgirls, her first career hat-trick. Freshman Kelly Parkhurst also added a goal in the 82nd minute.

The Cowgirls will return home against Bryant University on Sunday.

“I’m very excited for the first home game. I hope people are able to come out and watch. It will be a tough turn around after a road game, but I think we are all excited,” Sanchez said.

Sunday’s game is set for a 1 p.m. at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex.