DENVER – After two home games to open the season, the MSU Denver women's soccer team will experience a different environment in Thursday's 3 p.m. MDT non-conference game at St. Edward's (Texas).
Much different.
Because while it was plenty sunny and in the early 80s during the Roadrunners' 1-1 tie Sunday against Simon Fraser (B.C.), the 90-plus degrees and high humidity will feel a little different in Austin, Texas.
But MSU Denver believes it has the answer.
"It's going to be a good road test for us," MSU Denver coach
Kat Mertz said. "It's going to be 90 degrees and high humidity, so it's going to be important for us that we use our entire bench."
The Roadrunners got contributions up and down the lineup while going 1-0-1 over the weekend, including a 3-0 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce in the season opener.
MSU Denver got two goals from
Elisa Dean, another from
Katy Coats, and two assists by
Annie Rolf against Texas A&M-Commerce.
Jaimy Sawaged scored the Roadrunners' goal against Simon Fraser.
Meanwhile,
Kayla Caballero was 1-0-1 with an .889 save percentage and a goals-against average of 0.45.
"We've had a good week of training, adjusting in some areas were are working on – especially in the final third of how we can get to and create more scoring opportunities," Mertz said.
While Texas A&M-Commerce is picked to finish fifth in the Lone Star Conference, St. Edward's is picked to finish fourth.
"We're going to have to really find a way to nullify their attack," Mertz said. "They had a tough weekend on the road, but I don't think they were 100 percent healthy and I would imagine they'll have some of their players back."
St. Edward's opened the season in Colorado Springs, Colo., losing to 18
th-ranked UCCS 3-1 and to Adams State 2-1.
"It will be a test for us to fight adversity, solve different problems and find ways to connect and play the style of soccer we're trying to get to," Mertz said. "We're excited about the results last weekend, but right now those mean nothing because our focus is on what's ahead, and that's St. Edward's."
