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Emma Gurule
Angela Roberts, FLC Athletic Communications

Women's soccer begins season versus regional foes in Texas

8/25/2026 2:08:00 PM

By: Angela Roberts, Associate AD - Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – After a flurry of preseason exhibition contests, it's time for the highly anticipated start of the season for the Fort Lewis College women's soccer team.

Looking Back
The 2025 season was one to remember for the Skyhawks. Fort Lewis finished the year with an overall record of 11-5-3 and a 7-2-2 mark in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play. The team went 8-0-1 at home without surrendering a goal on Dirks Field and was receiving votes in the national poll heading into the conference tournament.

Six players earned All-Conference honors, including goalkeeper Trinity Lujan, who was named the RMAC Freshman of the Year. Additionally, Jenna Salazar and Ann Spence return after earning Second Team All-Conference honors a season ago.
Fort Lewis ranked among the top five nationally in several statistical categories, including:
  • 2nd – Team Goals Against Average (.368)
  • 3rd – Team Save Percentage (.901)
  • 3rd – Team Shutout Percentage (.737)
  • 4th – Goals Against Average (Trinity Lujan, .382)
  • 4th – Shutouts (Trinity Lujan, 12)
  • 5th – Save Percentage (Trinity Lujan, .897)

RMAC Preseason Outlook
Fort Lewis was picked to finish fourth in the league according to the 2026 RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Colorado School of Mines earned the top spot by a narrow margin with 134 points and three first-place votes. Colorado Mesa University and UCCS each received five first-place votes, totaling 132 and 131 points, respectively. Fort Lewis followed in fourth with 109 points.

Senior forward Jenna Salazar and senior midfielder Ann Spence were named to the 2026 Preseason All-Conference Team after each earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2025.

In the national rankings, three RMAC teams are ranked or receiving votes. UCCS leads the way at No. 10, followed by Mines at No. 12, while Colorado Mesa is receiving votes.

Who's Back
The Skyhawks graduated a core group of experienced players last season but return several key pieces. Fort Lewis returns 50 percent of its goal production, led by Salazar, who scored eight times during her junior campaign. Junior Kiana Jamerson follows as another returning scoring threat after tallying four goals last season. The Skyhawks also return eight of their 24 assists from a season ago.

Defensively, Fort Lewis returns senior Amber Otts, one of the league's premier defenders. Sophomore Addyson Carpentier joins Otts on the backline and looked solid throughout the preseason after totaling 281 minutes during her freshman season. In goal, Lujan returns for her second season after allowing just seven goals during her freshman campaign.

New to the Nest
Head coach Damian Clarke brought in a sizable class to fill the voids left by graduation. In total, the Skyhawks welcome 10 freshmen and three transfers to campus. The transfers include junior defender Lucy Bernino (Folsom Lake CC), sophomore goalkeeper Ella Lulich (Clark College), and sophomore defender Olivia Wills (Nicholls State).

The freshman class hails from Oregon, Washington, Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Colorado. Several newcomers arrive with proven goal-scoring ability, including Maleia Dayao, who was a dominant scorer during her prep career at Central Kitsap High School in Washington. Additionally, Emma Gurule of Albuquerque and Eldorado High School joins the squad after scoring 33 goals during her senior season.

The goalkeeping position adds depth with Durango High School product Ryne Neiman. Standing at 5-foot-10, Neiman enjoyed a decorated prep career just down the hill, posting 21 career shutouts and a 0.44 goals-against average as a senior.

Defensively, a trio of freshmen will look to fill roles, including Sadie Melville (Portland, Ore.), Prestle Agana (Silverdale, Wash.), and Eisley Raxter (Buckeye, Ariz.). Another key piece is the return of Tristen Fought, who missed her freshman season due to injury but saw significant playing time in the midfield during the preseason.

Scouting St. Mary's
The Rattlers finished 9-6-3 overall and 8-4-2 in Lone Star Conference play last season. St. Mary's and Fort Lewis opened the 2025 season with a 0-0 draw in Durango, and the Rattlers ended their season with an overtime loss to Texas Woman's in the LSC Tournament. St. Mary's was picked to finish fourth in the LSC Preseason Poll.

As a team, the Rattlers averaged 1.89 goals and 15.1 shots per game while holding opponents to 1.28 goals and 11.8 shots per contest. St. Mary's totaled 23 assists, 72 corner kicks, and 186 fouls over its 18-game season.

Offensively, the Rattlers were led by a pair of double-digit goal scorers, including Elena Kossler with 13. Kossler returns after earning All-Region and All-Conference honors in addition to being named the LSC Newcomer of the Year and Forward of the Year. Two of the team's leaders in minutes per game also return in Valerie Hover and Marily Garza Contreras.

St. Mary's will look to replace primary goalkeeper Haley Faucette, who started all 18 matches in 2025. Newcomers Callie Gilliam, a freshman, and Molly Lyons, a sophomore transfer from Trevecca Nazarene, are listed as goalkeepers on the roster.

Fort Lewis is 1-2-1 all-time against St. Mary's following last season's draw. The Skyhawks' lone win over the Rattlers came in 2004 by a 2-1 decision. The game will serve as an important early-season matchup in the South Central Region.

Scouting Lubbock Christian
The Chaps finished 8-8-2 last season and reached the LSC Tournament as the No. 7 seed. Lubbock Christian was selected to finish ninth in the league's preseason coaches' poll. Fort Lewis faced Lubbock Christian in its fourth match of the 2025 season, earning a 2-0 win on Dirks Field behind a pair of goals from Salazar.

The Chaps averaged 1.56 goals per game last season while holding opponents to one goal per contest. The team averaged 15.3 shots per game with a .462 shots-on-goal percentage while totaling 21 assists, 70 saves, and 62 corner kicks.

Offensively, Ella Spiller led the Chaps with 10 goals but has since transferred out of the program. Mia Chambliss and Sydney Smith followed with three goals apiece, and both return for another season. Riley Espinoza also returns after totaling five assists and two goals last season. Emma Wright played every minute in goal last season and returns for her senior campaign with 10 career wins and six shutouts to her credit.

Fort Lewis is 1-1-1 all-time against Lubbock Christian, with its lone win coming at home last season. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in 2024, while the inaugural meeting in 2016 resulted in a 1-0 win for the Chaps.

Up Next
Fort Lewis will make its home debut on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. against West Texas A&M. Fans are encouraged to stick around after the match for the first night game in Fort Lewis College football history, with tailgating, food trucks, a beer garden, and more.
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