UPCOMING GAMES
Friday, October 7
Vs. Black Hills State University | 12:30 p.m.
Dirks Field | Durango, Colo.
Audio: www.radiodurango.com
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/fortlewis/wsoc
Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/fortlewis/
 
NOTES
Fort Lewis College returns home for one game this week during Homecoming Weekend.  After picking up two road wins, the Skyhawks are in second place in the RMAC standings (4-2-0 RMAC, 5-4-1 overall).
 
On Friday night at UCCS, Jenna Brown and Alicia Sanchez each scored two goals to lead the Fort Lewis College women's soccer scoring barrage against the Mountain Lions, 6-2. 
 
On Sunday, FLC travelled to Western State Colorado University for their second straight road win.  Andonia Apergis scored her first career goal in the 83^rd minute to lead the Skyhawks to a 2-1 victory.
 
Junior Shayla Malecki is second in the league in game-winning goals (third), goals scored (five), and points (11).  Teammate Alicia Sanchez ranks fifth in points (10), and fourth in goals (four).  Freshman goalkeeper Britt Blomso leads the league in save percentage (.897), and she is fourth in goals against average (0.58) and 10^th in saves (36).
 
THE SERIES
Friday's meeting will be the first time Fort Lewis College and Black Hills State University have faced each other in women's soccer.  This is the first season the Yellow Jackets are sponsoring women's soccer as a NCCA varsity sport.
 
SCOUTING THE YELLOW JACKETS
Black Hills State University enters the weekend in 13^th place in the RMAC standings with a 0-4 league mark.  The Yellow Jackets are 1-8 overall and are on a five game losing streak.  BHSU has been outscored this season, 32-10.
 
The Yellow Jackets lead the league in saves (87) and are ranked seventh in points (31) and goals (12), 13^th in shots (82), and 12^th in goals allowed (32).
 
Katie Nielson leads BHSU with 11 points (five goals, one assist).  Therese Wilhelmi defends the goal with the third best saves percentage in the league (7.25 saves per game).
 
2015 WRAPUP
The Skyhawks finished the 2015 season with a double overtime 0-0 tie against St. Edward's University in San Angelo, Texas in the NCAA Women's Soccer South Central Region First Round game.  SEU advanced to the second round on penalty kicks.  Last year's NCAA tournament berth was the sixth time in program history FLC competed in the NCAA post-season.
 
MEET THE TEAM
FLC returns eight starters from last year's NCAA qualifying team (Alicia Sanchez, Shayla Malecki, Courtney Riley, Carolyn Archer, Haleigh Macomb, Keisha Green, Andra Thaden and Dayli Schmieder).  Starters Brooke Milliet, Jordan Hix and Caitlyn Espinosa are not returning after graduating last year.
 
PRESEAON HONORS
After finishing second overall in the 2015 regular season standings, the Fort Lewis College women's soccer team is picked to finish second in the 2016 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Skyhawks earned 128 points behind the league favorite Colorado School of Mines.  FLC also received votes in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America preseason poll.  The Skyhawks finished the 2015 season second in the league with an 8-2-1 league record (12-5-4). 
 
PROVEN COACH
Head coach Jimmy Hall is in his third year leading the Skyhawks women's soccer program.  In only his second year as head coach, Hall was named the RMAC Women's Soccer Coach of the Year.  In three years, Hall has notched an overall record of 18-13-9 and a league mark of 15-7-5.  Hall returned to his alma mater as assistant women's soccer coach in 2011 and is in his sixth year with the women's program. The former Skyhawk soccer standout has deep roots in the Durango soccer community and coaching experience at the collegiate, high school and club levels.
 
ON THE AIR
The legendary voice of the Skyhawks, John Mahoney, returns for his 12^th season calling Skyhawks soccer games on the air.  Mahoney will be reunited with Phil Duke who is returning after a seven year hiatus.  Mahoney and Duke will call all Skyhawks men's and women's soccer home games.  Fans can watch all home soccer games for free on Stretch Internet and listen to Mahoney and Duke via the free video stream and on the air at KIUP AM 930, 97.3 FM and www.radiodurango.com.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
FLC will make their last regular season road trip next week when they travel to Colorado Mesa on Oct. 14 and Westminster College on Oct. 16.