Sports Reporter
scschroc@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
The CMU women’s soccer team kicked off its season with a 10-0 win over Trinidad State Junior College at Walker Field on Saturday, taking the first step towards NCAA tournament aspirations.
The scoring started quickly when senior Jessica Kent’s through ball reached Sarah Pope on the run. She then slotted the ball into the left corner of the net one minute into the match.
The floodgates opened two minutes after Pope’s goal when Darion Wiegert’s shot from 20 yards out bounced under the keeper’s arm into the bottom left corner.
After implementing their 3-5-2 formation, the Mavs wanted to play patiently and master the new system.
“We wanted to be fast and swing the ball until a checking target was on,” captain Leilani Wiernicki said. “Our rotation into the backline was important.”
A second place conference finish and an NCAA tournament berth from last season have left the team wanting more success.
“We all want to make it farther this season,” Wiernicki said. “Our team goal is to make the Sweet 16.”
Kent said the dominating win is more important than just a notch on the win column for the Mavs.
“Our good start will give us confidence for the rest of the season,” Kent said. “We know we can compete at the highest level.”
Playing at the highest level in the country isn’t easy, but the Mavs are ready to work for it.
“We really need to focus on being first or second in the conference to make the national tournament,” Kent said. “We need to continue to work hard.”
Everything must fall in place for a deep-tournament run, including keeping players healthy.
“We had less players to rotate towards the end of last season, which hurt us,” Wiernicki said. “If we can stay away from injuries and keep the intensity of training high we will be in good shape.”
The Mavs continue their journey to Nationals next weekend in Wichita Falls, Texas, facing off with West Texas A&M University on Friday and Midwestern State University on Sunday.
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