LARAMIE — The University of Wyoming soccer team closes its nonconference home schedule this week with a pair of matches at the Madrid Sports Complex.
The Cowgirls host South Carolina at 4 p.m. Thursday before celebrating Senior Day against South Dakota at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Both matches will be streamed on MW+.
Wyoming enters the week 2-1-0 after suffering its first loss of the season, a 2-1 setback against Weber State last Thursday.
South Carolina enters Thursday’s match 3-1-0 and is receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches’ Poll. The Gamecocks are coming off a week in which they defeated No. 24 Clemson 1-0 and Furman 4-0.
“(South Carolina) is going to look at (the Weber State) film and think they can come in and do something against us,” UW head coach Josh Purdum said. “We need to prepare better. We need to be organized for them. They’re a very strong team and have performed well. They’re going to come and think they can nip one off of us. We need to be prepared for them organizationally but also physically.”
Both teams have received contributions from multiple goal scorers early in the season. Maddie Burr leads Wyoming with two goals, while three other Cowgirls have also scored. South Carolina has six different players with goals, led by Sydney Middaugh with two.
Wyoming goalkeeper Haley Bartel has recorded two shutouts in the Cowgirls’ first three matches. She has made seven saves and allowed two goals, posting a 0.67 goals-against average. South Carolina goalkeeper Christina Tsaousis has started all four matches, recording 10 saves while allowing three goals for a 0.86 goals-against average.
Thursday will mark the first meeting between Wyoming and South Carolina. The Cowgirls are 2-10-1 all time against SEC opponents, including a 1-3-1 record against SEC teams in Laramie.
South Dakota will visit Laramie Sunday for Senior Day. Wyoming leads the all-time series against the Coyotes 6-2-2. The teams played to a 1-1 draw last season in Vermillion.
South Dakota is 2-1-1 this season and has a 1-1 draw against Nebraska on its record. The Coyotes are scheduled to visit Northern Colorado on Thursday before traveling to Laramie.
Brooke Conway and Kinsley Pesicka have scored two goals apiece for South Dakota. Goalkeeper Cambell Fischer has started all four matches and has made 14 saves while allowing two goals, giving her a 0.55 goals-against average.
After Sunday’s match, Wyoming will begin a stretch of more than a month on the road. The Cowgirls’ first trip includes matches at Gonzaga on Sept. 3 and Eastern Washington on Sept. 6.
