SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Back Hills State University women's soccer team will return home for the first time in three weekends as they set are set to face two of the top teams in the RMAC, No. 1 Colorado School of Mines and Colorado Mesa. The Yellow Jackets and Orediggers will kick-off the weekend on Friday afternoon with a 4 p.m. match-up, while BHSU and CMU are then slated for an 11 a.m. start on Sunday morning.
 
GAME 1 DETAILS
Date & Time: Friday, October 4 at 4 p.m.
Location: Spearfish, S.D. - Black Hills Power Sports Complex
 
GAME 2 DETAILS
Date & Time: Sunday, October 6 at 11 a.m.
Location: Spearfish, S.D. - Black Hills Power Sports Complex
 
BLACK HILLS STATE STORYLINES

• Black Hills State enters this weekend's RMAC games with a record of 0-5-3 (0-2 RMAC) following losses at Colorado Christian (2-1) and (RV) MSU Denver (3-0) last weekend.
• During the 2024 season BHSU has recorded three goals, two assists, 67 shots, 29 shots on goal, 12 corner kicks, and 43 saves. On the other hand, their opponents have notched 21 goals, 15 assists, 136 shots, 64 shots on goal, 55 corner kicks, and 26 saves.
• Leading the offensive attack for the Yellow Jackets is Paige Hill and Anacel Valenzuela-Acosta, who have each notched one goal and one assist for three points this year. Additionally, Jayda Hammer has found the back of the net once for one goal and two points.
• Spearheaded by Allie Brown who has played in 63 matches while making 54 starts during her career, the Black Hills State back line has recorded two shutouts this season against Carroll and Minnesota Crookston. The pair of clean sheets is already tied for the second most in a single season in program history, matching 2019 and is only two shy of the school record mark of four set in 2023.
• While Brown has played a team-leading 708 minutes of action this year, other notable defenders include Ainsley Wilson and Bria Sargent who have recorded 667 and 425 minutes of playing time respectively thus far in 2024.
• Makayla Dannelly has been the primary goalkeeper this season for BHSU, playing and starting in six contests where she has made 37 saves for a .698 save percentage and a 2.67 goals against average. She has posted one shutout during the season, holding Carroll scoreless in the season opener.
• John Hutchison is in his second season as the head coach of the Yellow Jackets.

#1 COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES STORYLINES

• Colorado School of Mines enters this weekend's RMAC game with a record of 8-0 (2-0 RMAC) following a pair of home victories over UCCS (4-1) and CSU Pueblo (2-0) during CSM's homecoming last weekend.
• The Orediggers made the jump to No. 1 in the country for the first time in program history on Tuesday afternoon, moving up two spots from No. 3 last week in the United Soccer Coaches Top-25 Poll.
• During the 2024 season CSM has recorded 22 goals, 17 assists, 150 shots, 69 shots on goal, 52 corner kicks, and 22 saves. On the other hand, their opponents have notched two goals, two assists, 48 shots, 24 shots on goal, 20 corner kicks, and 47 saves.
• Eight different Orediggers have found the back of the net this year, and they are led by Reese McDermott with eight goals and three assists for 19 points.
• Ava Harman leads the team with three game-winning goals this season, securing wins over Chico State, Lubbock Christian, and Western Washington.
• Callie Fuhr spearheads the CSM backline, having played a total of 715 minutes this season. She is joined by Katie Koehler and Lauren Clingman who have posted 691 and 689 minutes respectively.
• Allie Lundgren has been the primary goalkeeper for the Orediggers this season, making five starts with six total appearances. She has made 16 saves for a .941 save percentage and a 0.18 goals against average. Lundgren has posted four shutouts this year and has one combined shutout.
• Kevin Fickes is in his 15^th season as the head coach at Colorado School of Mines.

SERIES HISTORY

• Friday will mark the ninth all-time meeting on the pitch between Black Hills State and Colorado School of Mines, with the Orediggers holding an 8-0 advantage.
• CSM extended their win streak to eight games with an 8-0 victory over BHSU on September 29, 2023, in Golden, Colorado. 

COLORADO MESA STORYLINES

• Colorado Mesa enters this weekend's RMAC game with a record of 4-1-2 (2-0 RMAC) following a pair of victories over New Mexico Highlands (6-0) and Adams State (1-0) last weekend.
• During the 2024 season CMU has recorded 14 goals, 12 assists, 126 shots, 64 shots on goal, 51 corner kicks, and 12 saves. On the other hand, their opponents have notched seven goals, two assists, 46 shots, 19 shots on goal, 16 corner kicks, and 50 saves.
• Seven different Mavericks have found the back of the net this year, and they are led by Abby Fotheringham and Sarah Dunn who have each scored three goals. Fotheringham adds two assists for a team-leading eight points and Dunn adds one assist for seven points.
• Ally Wachtel spearheads the CMU backline, having played a total of 630 minutes this season. She is joined by Sarah Dunn and Carli Dare who have posted 598 and 459 minutes respectively.
• In goal for the Mavericks will be Keely Wieczorek who has started and appeared in all seven matches, recording 12 saves for a .632 save percentage and a 1.00 goals against average. She has posted three shutouts during the year.
• Jody Lingafeldt is in her first season as the head coach at Colorado Mesa.

SERIES HISTORY

• Sunday will mark the ninth all-time meeting on the pitch between Black Hills State and Colorado Mesa, with the Mavericks holding a 7-0-1 advantage.
• CMU earned their fifth straight win in the series with a 5-0 victory on October 1, 2023, in Grand Junction, Colorado.