DURANGO, Colo. – Postseason play is on the horizon for the Fort Lewis College women's soccer team as the fifth-seeded Skyhawks travel to Grand Junction to face fourth-seeded Colorado Mesa University in the quarterfinal round of the 2026 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Tournament.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Community Hospital Unity Field, with the winner advancing to face top-seeded Regis University in the tournament semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in Denver.

Fans can follow Sunday's postseason matchup through live statistics and a live broadcast on the RMAC Network.

RMAC Tournament Format

The 2026 RMAC Women's Soccer Tournament features eight teams competing for the conference championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Tournament.

Regular-season champion Regis University earned the No. 1 seed and a direct berth into the semifinals, while second-seeded UCCS and third-seeded Colorado School of Mines will host quarterfinal matches. Seventh-seeded Westminster and eighth-seeded Colorado Christian met in an opening-round contest with Westminster advancing to face UCCS.

The quarterfinal round takes place Sunday, Nov. 1, with the higher-seeded teams hosting. The tournament then shifts to Regis University in Denver for the semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 4, and the championship match on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Fort Lewis and Colorado Mesa will compete for a spot opposite Regis in Wednesday's 1 p.m. semifinal. The championship match is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, with the tournament champion securing the RMAC's automatic NCAA Tournament berth.

Looking Back

Fort Lewis concluded the regular season with a 7-4-1 record in RMAC play, securing the No. 5 seed in the conference tournament. The Skyhawks enter postseason play having reached double-digit victories for the second consecutive season.

Defense has been a defining strength for Fort Lewis throughout the fall. The Skyhawks have surrendered just 10 goals in 17 matches, ranking second in the RMAC in goals allowed. Sophomore goalkeeper Trinity Lujan has anchored the defensive effort with 62 saves, a 0.59 goals-against average and nine shutouts.

Offensively, freshman Emma Gurule leads the Skyhawks with six goals, while freshman Maleia Dayao has contributed four goals and four assists. Sophomore Addyson Carpentier, senior Ann Spence, and freshman Kadyn Begay have also provided contributions to the Fort Lewis attack.

Last Time We Met

Sunday's quarterfinal marks the second meeting of the season between Fort Lewis and Colorado Mesa, with the Mavericks earning a narrow 1-0 victory on Sept. 25 in Grand Junction.

The lone goal came from Olivia Bariao-Arce, who found the back of the net off an assist from Jenelle Arenibas to lift Colorado Mesa to the conference victory.

Despite a 19-8 advantage in total shots for the Mavericks, Fort Lewis held a 3-2 edge in shots on goal. The Skyhawks also limited Colorado Mesa to just one goal despite the Mavericks controlling much of the offensive possession.

The postseason rematch will once again feature two of the conference's strongest defensive units, with both teams looking to secure a place in the RMAC semifinals.

Scouting Colorado Mesa

Colorado Mesa enters Sunday's quarterfinal with a 9-4-4 overall record and a 7-2-3 mark in conference play. The Mavericks secured the fourth seed behind a defensive unit that has allowed just 12 goals through 17 matches, an average of 0.71 goals per contest that ranks third in the RMAC.

Offensively, the Mavericks have scored 26 goals while registering 23 assists, averaging 1.53 goals and 16.5 shots per match. Colorado Mesa has outshot opponents 281-142 and holds a 112-74 advantage in shots on goal.

Ellie Duncan leads the Mavericks' offensive production with seven goals, two assists, and 16 points. Duncan has registered 38 shots, including 15 on goal, and has accounted for three game-winning goals.

Parker Mairs follows with three goals and a team-leading six assists for 12 points, while Olivia Bariao-Arce has added four goals and one assist for nine points. Bariao-Arce has registered 34 shots, including 15 on goal, and scored the game-winner against Fort Lewis earlier this season.

Defensively, Colorado Mesa is led by Olivia Barrett, a two-time RMAC Defensive Player of the Week, alongside Sarah Dunn, Ella Speerschneider and Kylie Hoffman.

Veteran goalkeeper Keely Wieczorek has been a standout between the posts, recording 55 saves and a .821 save percentage while tying for the conference lead with nine shutouts this season. In Colorado Mesa's regular-season finale, Wieczorek recorded her 44th career shutout, tying the RMAC career record.

The Mavericks enter postseason play following a scoreless draw against Westminster on Oct. 28. Colorado Mesa has also collected notable conference victories over Colorado School of Mines (1-0) and Fort Lewis (1-0), while earning a 1-1 draw against regular-season champion Regis.

Colorado Mesa will look to capture its third RMAC Tournament championship and first since 2023.

By the Numbers

• 10: Goals allowed by Fort Lewis through 17 matches, second fewest in the RMAC.

• 9: Shutouts apiece for Fort Lewis goalkeeper Trinity Lujan and Colorado Mesa goalkeeper Keely Wieczorek.

• 7: Goals scored by Colorado Mesa's leading scorer Ellie Duncan.

• 6: Goals scored by Fort Lewis leading scorer Emma Gurule.

• 44: Career shutouts for Wieczorek, tied for the RMAC all-time record.

• 1: Goal separating the two programs in their regular-season meeting on Sept. 25.

Up Next

The winner of Sunday's quarterfinal will advance to face top-seeded Regis University in the RMAC Tournament semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 1 p.m. in Denver. The championship match is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at 4 p.m., with the conference's automatic NCAA Tournament berth on the line.