SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University soccer team returns home to host Western Colorado University and Colorado Mesa University this weekend. The Yellow Jackets welcome the Mountaineers on October 4 at 7 p.m., before playing the Mavericks on October 6 with kickoff set for 1 p.m.

Scouting the Mountaineers (0-7-1, 0-3-1 RMAC)

Western Colorado, located in Gunnison, Colorado, currently sits in 12th place in RMAC standings. The team opened the RMAC schedule with three consecutive loses, but tied Metro State Denver, 1-1, in their most recent match. The Mountaineers are scoring 0.25 goals per game while allowing 4.13 per game.

Andrea Grillo and Missa Webb have each scored a goal for WCU. They have both recorded eight shots to lead the squad. Goalkeeper Kaeyla Noble (0-5-1) has allowed 17 goals in 480 minutes. She has a 3.18 goals against average and a .730 save percentage while making 46 saves. Grace Walker (0-2) has played 260 minutes in goal, making two starts, and allowing 16 goals while tallying 14 saves.

Scouting the Mavericks (4-4, 1-3 RMAC)

Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, Colorado. The team opened conference play with a 2-1 double overtime victory over Colorado Christian, but has lost three straight since then, most recently a 2-0 loss to UCCS, who was then ranked No. 2 in the nation. While allowing 1.25 goals per game, the Mavericks score 1.38 goals per game.

The scoring for CMU has been evenly distributed, with four players recording two goals, and three others scoring once for the Mavericks. Madison Rasimas has two goals while also leading the squad with two assists, totaling a team-high six points on the season. Kamrie Gunderson has played all 753 minutes in goal for Colorado Mesa. She has allowed 10 goals and made 35 saves, recording a 1.20 goals against average while putting up a .778 save percentage.

Scouting the Yellow Jackets (1-6-1, 1-2-1 RMAC)

BHSU opened the season with a scoreless draw against Fort Lewis and a 1-0 victory over Adams State. Most recently, the Yellow Jackets dropped a pair of road games to Westminster (3-0) and Dixie State (4-0).

Katie Nielson leads the squad with three goals, while Cait Kelly has also found the net once. Nielson's six  points put her tied for ninth most in the RMAC while her three goals are tied for seventh most in the conference. Rose Miller has two assists to lead BHSU. Ella Goodman has also chipped in an assist.

Dz-Rae Jara is 1-3-1, making 47 saves in 550 minutes. She has allowed nine goals with a .839 save percentage, which is fourth best in the RMAC. Her 1.47 goals against average is 10th in the league, while she is first in shutouts with two.

Athlete of the Week

Dz-Rae Jara was named the RMAC Goalkeeper of the Week on September 24. She was honored after played 190 minutes in goal, making 12 saves and recording two shutouts against Fort Lewis (Sept. 20) and Adams State (Sept. 22).

Around the RMAC

UCCS is ranked No. 1 in the nation according to the United Soccer Coaches poll. Colorado School of Mines checks in at No. 9.

Up Next

Following this weekend, the Green and Gold head back on the road to take on CSU-Pueblo and New Mexico Highlands. The Yellow Jackets will take on the Thunderwolves on October 11 at 4:30 p.m.

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Black Hills State is located in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota, sponsoring 13 NCAA sports with membership in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the NCAA emerging sport of women's triathlon and NIRA rodeo. For all information regarding Yellow Jacket Athletics, please visit BHSUAthletics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @BHSUAthletics.

---BHSUAthletics.com---