ALAMOSA, Colo.— The Adams State University Women's Soccer team is set to open the Fall 2021 season this week. The hopes are high for this season to be as close to normal as possible, following last spring's COVID season.
The Grizzlies are coming off of their first playoff appearance in 16 years with a record of 2-5. Also, in their record-breaking season, they beat rivals Western Colorado University for the first time in nine years. The Grizzlies are set to take on No. 25 Western Washington University on Thursday, September 2nd, and St. Edward's University on Saturday, September 4th.
The Grizzlies recently had their first scrimmage against the Division I University of New Mexico Lobos at the UNM Soccer Complex. Although they fell short 10-1, standout player,
Alyssa Doty, scored off of a free kick rebound. Her and another freshman,
Kylie Chavez, are coming in with very high expectations from their head coach,
Colin Baker. They are expected to do some serious damage this season alongside some other key players to watch,
Sydney Wiedeman,
Carena Harrison,
Rachel Boyle, and
Karlee Caballero. They will lead the Grizzlies on their path to the Championship.
Baker feels that his team is as close as they've ever been and that is something that will make a huge difference in the results this year.
"This group has the ability and opportunity to be the best team this program has ever produced," Baker stated. "We will go into every game prepared, ready to go, and will not back down to anyone."
The Grizzlies look to prove these statements true as they head into their season opening weekend.
The Grizzlies will start by traveling to Golden, Colorado to take on No. 25 nationally-ranked Western Washington University at 11 a.m.
"This is a great opportunity to play against one of the historically best teams in the country at the NCAA Division II level," explained Baker.
The Vikings open the season picked to finish second in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. They finished last season with a record of 4-1-2 and are returning 28 letter winners and ten starters from the Spring 2021 roster. This match with the Grizzlies will be the first meeting in program history and will provide a great challenge that will prepare the team for conference.
After the matchup with the Western Washington University, the Grizzlies will travel to Colorado Springs, Colorado to take on St. Edward's University at noon on September 4th. With a strong group of incoming players and a massive returning roster, the Hilltoppers are expected to have a good season. They were picked to finish fourth in the Lone Star Conference. St. Edward's finished last year's season with an overall record of 5-5.
"The Hilltoppers will be a physical, fast and direct team and the Grizzlies are going to have to show up to match their physicality, rhythm, and tempo to have a chance to get the win," said Baker.
Up next the Grizzlies will continue to be on the road as they take on Lubbock Christian University in Lubbock, Texas on Thursday, September 9th, and West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas on Saturday, September 11th.
