SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Back Hills State University women's soccer team will make their first of three trips to The Centennial State this weekend as they are set to begin RMAC play against Colorado Christian and (RV) MSU Denver. The Yellow Jackets and the Cougars are slated for a 3 p.m. kick-off at Trailblazer Stadium in Lakewood, while the weekend finale between BHSU and MSUD will get underway at 11 a.m. at the Assembly Athletic Complex in Denver.
 
GAME 1 DETAILS
Date & Time: Friday, September 27 at 3 p.m.
Location: Lakewood, Colo. – Trailblazer Stadium
 
GAME 2 DETAILS
Date & Time: Sunday, September 29 at 11 a.m.
Location: Denver, Colo. – Assembly Athletic Complex-Soccer
 
BLACK HILLS STATE STORYLINES

• Black Hills State enters this weekend's RMAC match-ups with a record of 0-3-3 following a 6-0 loss to No. 20 Washburn on Friday and a 2-2 draw with Nebraska-Kearney on Sunday.
• During the 2024 season BHSU has recorded two goals, two assists, 54 shots, 24 shots on goal, nine corner kicks, and 30 saves. On the other hand, their opponents have notched 16 goals, nine assists, 96 shots, 46 shots on goal, 40 corner kicks, and 22 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.
• Spearheaded by Allie Brown who has played in 64 matches while making 55 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 528 minutes of action this year, other notable defenders include Ainsley Wilson and Bria Sargent who have recorded 503 and 308 minutes of playing time respectively thus far in 2024.
• In goal this season, Makayla Dannelly has started and appeared in four games, making 24 saves while allowing a 2.75 goals against average. She has one shutout which occurred against CC. Zoe Wiggall has started and appeared in two games, making six saves while allowing a 3.33 goals allowed percentage. Wiggall and Allanah Facio combined for a shutout against UMC.
• John Hutchison is in his second season as the head coach of the Yellow Jackets. 

COLORADO CHRISTIAN STORYLINES

• Colorado Christian enters this weekend's RMAC match-up with a record of 1-3-1 following a pair of 1-0 losses to Cal State Dominguez Hills and Eastern New Mexico this past weekend.
• During the 2024 season CCU has recorded six goals, six assists, 53 shots, 29 shots on goal, 17 corner kicks, and 13 saves. On the other hand, their opponents have notched five goals, four assists, 31 shots, 18 shots on goal, 18 corner kicks, and 23 saves.
• Six different Cougars have found the back of the net this year, including Capri Dewing, Hannah Mares, Justine Moreau, Lexi Taitague, Cor Lopp, and Ava Schock. Dewing, Mares, Moreau, and Taitague have each also added an assist to total a team-high of three points.
• Freshman defender Taylor Tobolski spearheads the CCU backline, having played a total of 430 minutes this season. She is joined by Ashleigh Willette and Breenalyn Shimabukuro who have posted 301 and 285 minutes respectively.
• In goal for the Cougars will be Alana Lopp who has started and appeared in all five matches, recording 13 saves and a 1.01 goals against average. She combined for one shutout with Kati Conway as CCU defeated Southwestern Christian 4-0.
• Caleb Cole is in his first season as the head coach at Colorado Christian.

SERIES HISTORY

• Friday will mark the ninth all-time meeting on the pitch between Black Hills State and Colorado Christian, with the series tied 4-4.
• The Yellow Jackets earned their third consecutive victory over the Cougars in the most recent match-up on September 21, 2023, in Spearfish as BHSU collected a 1-0 win.

[RV] MSU DENVER STORYLINES

• MSU Denver enters this weekend's RMAC match-up with a record of 2-1-4 (1-0 RMAC) following a 2-0 win over Regis in their league opener on Thursday.
• The Roadrunners are currently receiving votes in the most recent release of the United Soccer Coaches Top-25 Poll on Tuesday.
• During the 2024 season MSUD has recorded three goals, three assists, 63 shots, 31 shots on goal, 30 corner kicks, and 29 saves. On the other hand, their opponents have notched three goals, three assists, 81 shots, 32 shots on goal, 25 corner kicks, and 28 saves.
• Three different Roadrunners have found the back of the net this year, including Isa Durkin, Madrid Mack, and Monica Yoder who have each scored once. Additionally, Durkin and Mack have both collected one assist in order to tie for the team-lead of three points.
• Defenders Maddy Rueter and Emily Sirois spearhead the MSU Denver backline, posting 630 and 624 minutes respectively.
• In goal for the Roadrunners will be Kylie Bach who has started and appeared in all seven matches, recording 28 saves and a 0.43 goals against average. She has posted six shutouts during the year.
• Kat Mertz is in her fourth season as the head coach at MSU Denver.

SERIES HISTORY

• Sunday will mark the ninth all-time meeting on the pitch between Black Hills State and MSU Denver, with the Roadrunners holding an 8-0 advantage.
• MSUD earned their eighth straight win in the series with a 2-0 victory on September 24, 2023, in Spearfish.