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Women's soccer begins conference play against nationally ranked foes

9/24/2025 10:25:00 AM

By: Angela Roberts, Associate AD - Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – Women's soccer begins Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play this week with a pair of nationally-ranked road matches against No. 13 UCCS and No. 9 Colorado School of Mines.

Last Time Out
The Skyhawks were unable to take home the results that they were hoping for on a tough road trip in California, falling to No. 2 Cal Poly Pomona and (RV) Point Loma Nazarene. Despite dropping both matches, Fort Lewis played valuable minutes against premier programs. The 3-1 loss the No. 2 Cal Poly Pomona featured a goal from Kiana Jamerson, her second goal in as many appearances. Ultimately, the Skyhawks were outshot 19-9 with an 8-5 difference in shots on goal.

Saturday's contest against (RV) Point Loma Nazarene was scoreless for most of play before the Sea Lions capitalized in the 71st minute. Fort Lewis had an opportunity to take the lead in the 65th minute with a penalty kick chance, but the opposing keeper made a crucial save which ultimately decided the game. Fort Lewis held a 16-14 edge in shots and a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal.

Ranked Road Ahead
Following the ranked road trip, Fort Lewis faces an onslaught of talented opponents in conference play. No. 13 UCCS, No. 9 Colorado School of Mines, No. 20 Colorado Mesa, and (RV) Westminster. The schedule represents one of the most difficult stretches in recent program history and will provide an opportunity for Fort Lewis to prove itself as a postseason contender.

Scouting No. 13 UCCS
The Mountain Lions are 4-1-1 this season and are coming off of wins over Air Force (2-0) and Cal Poly Humbolt (3-0). UCCS dropped a match to No. 7 Dallas Baptist early in the season to mark its lone blemish. The team was 10-8-2 last season with a 7-5 mark in conference play.

UCCS is averaging 2.5 goals per game while allowing 1.17 from the opposition. The Mountain Lions average 13 shots per game with a .410 shots on goal percentage. They have racked up 15 assists, 19 corners, and 56 fouls.

The team is led by Brooke Pavlich and Abby Stassi who each own four goals and two assists. Luka Johnson follows with three goals, and four additional players have one goal this season. Six players have multiple assists, led by Taylynn Levi with three. Nylah Mirshafiei has played every minute in goal with 21 saves and seven goals allowed. Pavlich, Mirshafiei, and defender Jessica Rockwell were named the RMAC Week 3 Players of the Week.

Fort Lewis has lost the last eight matchups with UCCS, including a narrow 1-0 home loss last season. The Mountain Lions netted the game winner in the 40th minute in a tightly-contested conference match.

Scouting No. 9 Mines
The Orediggers had a disappointing week, by their standard. Now sitting with a 3-1-1 record, Mines fell to Western Oregon (2-1) and forced a draw against No. 20 Seattle Pacific to wrap up the nonconference schedule. Following the results, Mines dropped eight spots in the national poll to sit at No. 9. Mines is coming off a 20-1-2 season in 2024 where it reached the national quarterfinal match
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Mines is averaging two goals per game while allowing 1.4 per game from the opposition. The Orediggers put up 11.2 shots per game, compared to 14.8 from their opponents. They have compiled nine assists, 18 corners, and 30 fouls.

They are attempting to replace the production of Reese McDermott, the two-time RMAC Player of the Year, who netted 19 goals and dished seven assists last season. The Orediggers are relying on the 2024 RMAC Co-Player of the Year, Bella Campos, who has six goals and a pair of assists through five matches. Four additional players have one goal. Allie Lundgren has started each game in goal and owns a 1.45 goals against average with 20 saves.

The Skyhawks have lost the last three meetings versus the Orediggers and are 1-13-1 when playing in Golden. The teams faced twice last season, including a narrow 1-0 final in the RMAC Championship match played on the Mines campus.

Inside the Numbers
Individually, Salazar leads the team with three goals, followed closely by Tapia and Jamerson with two. Two other players have found the back of the net once, while Gomez has provided a team-best two assists. On the defensive side, Junna has been the ironwoman of the squad, logging 525 minutes, followed by Spence (513), Josie Coulter (506), and Amber Otts (502). Between the posts, Lujan has established herself as one of the conference's breakout players with a 3-2-1 record, 23 saves, and a .69 goals against average.

Around the RMAC
Within the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Fort Lewis sits tied for eighth place. The Skyhawks rank fourth in goals allowed per game (.67), third in shots per game (17.00), sixth in goals per game (1.50), and fifth in saves percentage (.852). Individually, Salazar ranks second in the conference in shots per game (3.33) and sits among the leaders in goals per game, while Gomez holds a top-10 mark in assists per game. Lujan ranks fifth in goals against average (.69) and saves percentage (.852).

Up Next
Fort Lewis returns to the pitch at Dirks Field for two conference matches against nationally-ranked opponents. First, the Skyhawks face No. 20 Colorado Mesa University on Thursday, October 3 at 4:30 PM. Fort Lewis wraps up the homestand on Sunday at noon against (RV) Westminster University.
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