DURANGO, Colo. – Women's soccer hits the road this week with a Friday matchup against Colorado Mesa University, followed by a Sunday showdown against Westminster College in Salt Lake City.

Looking Back
The Skyhawks had a successful homestand last week, winning three contests at Dirks Field to improve to 4-6-1 on the year. The first win came in 3-1 fashion over New Mexico Highlands where the team outshot the opposition 21-8. Junior Madyson Barela scored the first goal of the outing for Fort Lewis, her first of the season and 10th of her career. David led the team with three points with an assist on the game-tying goal. Sophomore Aubrey Swindle placed three shots on goal to pace the team, narrowly missing out on her first goal of the season by hitting the crossbar in the first half. Junior Katie Dunbabin and sophomore Riley Bravin combined for five saves.

Fort Lewis followed it up the following Friday with a 3-1 win over Colorado Christian in front of a vivacious crowd on faculty and staff appreciation night. Barela got the team ahead with her second goal in as many games, followed by goals from Hannah Paschke and Aubrey Swindle to put the nail in the coffin. Katlyn Rosenbaum earned the win between the pipes while racking up four saves. The Sunday matchup ended in a 1-0 final in favor of the Skyhawks who were taking on Adams State. The game winner came on a penalty kick from Paschke.

Scouting Colorado Mesa University
Mesa sits at 4-6-1 overall and 2-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference after dropping last week's matches to No. 15 Mines (1-0) and Regis (3-2). The Mavericks are averaging 2.55 goals per game while holding the opposition to a 1.64 GPG mark. The team is putting up 19.4 shots per game to lead the conference.

Offensively, it is no surprise that Lila Dere is leading the scoring charge. The reigning RMAC Player of the Year leads the league with 15 goals in 11 games played. Evelyn Hammer follows with five goals and an assist to her credit. The leading assister is Haley Klasner who has picked up four thus far. Chloe Dody has started 10 games at goal and holds a 1.53 goals against average. Dody has 49 saves this season for a .766 save percentage.

Fort Lewis is 6-4-4 all time against Mesa, dropping last season's meeting in a 1-0 final. The most recent win for the Skyhawks came in a 3-2 decision on October 27, 2019.

Scouting Westminster College
Westminster is 4-4-2 this season and 2-2-1 in league play after a winless weekend on the road. The team has played in narrowly contested matches this season with seven games being decided by just one goal. The Griffins average 1.60 goals per game compared to 1.20 for their opponents.

Madison Schmidt is the leading scorer at four goals, followed by four players with two goals to their credit. Alexa Maple has been dishing it up all year, racking up nine assists to lead the conference. The primary goalkeeper has been Kelsea Cracroft, and she has a 1.13 goals against average with 21 saves so far.

Fort Lewis is just 1-5-2 against Westminster in the series and played to a double overtime draw last season. The lone win came in the series opener, a 1-0 final on September 27, 2015.

Around the RMAC
The league is represented in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 by Colorado School of Mines at No. 10. The Orediggers move up from No. 15 with an overall record of 8-1-2. UCCS continues to receive votes in the latest poll.

Mesa's Lila Dere continues to lead the league in scoring with 15 goals in 11 games played. Alexa Maple of Westminster is the leading assister with nine to her credit. UCCS' Alexa Walker leads all goalkeepers with a .833 goals against average.

Spreading the Love
Fort Lewis has seen goals from seven players this season and is led by Barela and Paschke at two apiece. McKenna Ford leads the charge with two assists, followed by four players with one to their credit. Last season, the Skyhawks closed out the year with eight goal scorers and nine players with at least one assist.

Up Next
Fort Lewis will remain on the road next week to face No. 10 Colorado School of Mines and Regis University.