DURANGO, Colo. – With a postseason berth already secured and tournament seeding still on the line, the Fort Lewis College women's soccer team will close out the 2026 regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 28, welcoming Western Colorado to Dirks Field.
The Skyhawks enter the final day of the regular season in sixth place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference standings with 19 points and a 6-4-1 conference record, trailing fifth-place Black Hills State (6-3-2 RMAC) by just one point. While Fort Lewis has already punched its ticket to the conference tournament, Wednesday's results will determine whether the Skyhawks enter postseason play as the No. 5 or No. 6 seed.
Postseason Picture
Fort Lewis enters Wednesday with an opportunity to climb into fifth place in the RMAC standings and improve its positioning in the conference tournament.
A victory over Western Colorado, coupled with a Black Hills State draw or loss against top-seeded Regis, would lift the Skyhawks into the No. 5 seed. Fort Lewis could also claim fifth with a draw, provided Black Hills State falls to Regis.
Should Black Hills State earn a victory, Fort Lewis would remain the No. 6 seed regardless of Wednesday's result. A Skyhawks loss would also lock Fort Lewis into sixth place.
Both potential seeds would send Fort Lewis on the road for the RMAC Tournament quarterfinals, making Wednesday's finale an opportunity to improve its postseason matchup rather than secure home-field advantage.
Scouting Western Colorado
Western Colorado (6-8-1, 4-6-1 RMAC) enters Wednesday's regular-season finale fighting to secure one of the final two berths in the RMAC Tournament. The Mountaineers sit tied for eighth in the conference standings with 13 points and have won two of their last three matches.
Leading the Western Colorado attack is Jordan Welsh, who has scored a program-record eight goals this season. Welsh established the new single-season mark on Sunday against Colorado Christian, connecting on a free kick from approximately 30 yards out in the 64th minute. The Mountaineers ultimately fell 2-1 despite generating 15 shots, including nine on goal.
Lauren Kindt led Western Colorado with five shots, including four on frame, while Welsh added four attempts and two shots on target. Adah Minikel-Lacocque has also contributed offensively, scoring in the Mountaineers' 2-1 victory over MSU Denver on Friday, Oct. 23.
Between the posts, Addison Blick has anchored the Western Colorado defense and is coming off a nine-save performance against Colorado Christian. Despite defensive struggles against some of the conference's top offenses, the Mountaineers have shown resilience down the stretch and will enter Wednesday looking to strengthen their postseason chances.
Around the RMAC
Regis (10-0-1 RMAC) has already secured the conference's No. 1 seed, while UCCS (9-2-1 RMAC) is locked into second place.
Colorado Mesa and Colorado School of Mines enter the final day tied for third with 23 points apiece, followed by Black Hills State with 20 and Fort Lewis with 19.
Westminster occupies seventh place with 15 points, while Western Colorado and Colorado Christian remain among the teams competing for the final two tournament berths.
With the top six postseason positions secured, Wednesday's conference slate will determine the final tournament field and quarterfinal matchups.
A Final Opportunity at Dirks Field
Wednesday's contest marks the final regular-season appearance at Dirks Field for Fort Lewis, which will look to close its home schedule with momentum heading into the postseason.
The Skyhawks have already guaranteed themselves a place in the eight-team championship field, but a favorable finish on Wednesday could improve their tournament seeding and position them for a postseason run.
Up Next
Fort Lewis will begin postseason play in the RMAC Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday, Nov. 1, as either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed. The Skyhawks will learn their opponent and tournament destination following Wednesday's final conference matches.
