Mountain Lions, Orediggers Earn Preseason Women’s Soccer Recognition
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Leading up to the 2022 women’s soccer season, University of Colorado Colorado Springs ranks No. 8 in the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Preseason Poll. Additionally, Colorado School of Mines closed preseason voting receiving votes.
The Mountain Lions closed the 2021 season with a 19-4 overall record after clawing its way to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Prior to its NCAA postseason run, UCCS claimed a share of the RMAC regular-season championship before earning the RMAC Tournament title. During the 2021 campaign, the Mountain Lions ranked seventh nationally with 175 points in addition to No. 9 national rankings in assists (51) and goals (62). Makayla Merlo returns to an already stout UCCS midfield after claiming first team all-region honors with 23 appearances last year. In addition to Merlo, the Mountain Lions also return Jadyn LeDoux and Kaitlin Hinkle from last season’s roster, accounting for 23 of the Mountain Lions’ 62 goals last season.
The Orediggers received votes in the USC preseason poll after cementing a 13-5-4 overall record in 2021, which concluded with a second-round NCAA Tournament appearance. Mines toppled Midwestern State in the opening round of the NCAA postseason with a 3-2 result. Reese McDermott returns for the Orediggers after earning RMAC Freshman of the Year honors. McDermott also stamped all-region accolades after leading Mines with 18 points and eight goals in her collegiate debut season. Another key returner for Colorado School of Mines is Landry Corbett, who led her team in assists (5) last season.
The Mountain Lions will be tested early against 2021 NCAA semifinalist Dallas Baptist University, who enters the season ranked No. 3. UCCS will host the Patriots at 7 p.m. MT on Thursday, Aug. 25, at Mountain Lion Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Orediggers’ regular-season slate also begins on Aug. 25 with a home showdown against Texas Woman’s University. Mines’ kickoff against the Pioneers is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Stermole Soccer Stadium in Golden, Colo.