The University of Wyoming soccer squad will open its 2026 campaign with an exhibition match against Denver on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Madrid Sports Complex, a venue that has become a familiar battleground for the Cowgirls and a perfect setting to test new strategies before the official season begins.
Eight starters return from last year’s team, headlined by goalkeeper Haley Bartel, who posted a Mountain West‑best 0.89 goals‑against average, and forward Alyssa Glover, the conference’s leading scorer with eleven goals. Their experience provides a solid foundation as the team looks to build on a historic 1‑0 victory over No. 15 Georgia that demonstrated the program’s upward trajectory.
Coach Josh Purdum, now in his third season, has shifted the focus from pure tactics to mental preparation and disciplined execution. He believes that a strong mindset will allow the returning core to translate early confidence into consistent performance across the schedule.
A Fresh Face in Laramie
Adding to the mix is freshman Isa Vasco, a high school standout who finished her prep career as Wyoming’s all‑time leading scorer with 228 goals and earned Gatorade Wyoming Girls Soccer Player of the Year honors. Vasco’s 54‑goal, 10‑assist senior season showcases a rare blend of scoring prowess and playmaking that could diversify the Cowgirls’ offensive arsenal.
Last season the Cowgirls finished 7‑6‑6 overall and 2‑4‑4 in Mountain West play, a campaign that featured the signature win over Georgia but fell short of qualifying for the conference tournament. The coaching staff is targeting a more prolific offense to complement Glover’s contributions and to capitalize on the depth provided by the returning starters.
Following the exhibition against Denver, Wyoming will host Drake on Thursday at 4 p.m. at the same Madrid Sports Complex, using the back‑to‑back home fixtures to fine‑tune strategies and build chemistry before the official season kicks off.