DENVER – The MSU Denver women's soccer team, with only three returning starters from last year's 12-win team, is challenging itself during the non-conference portion of the schedule.
 
And the test this weekend isn't just physical. It's logistical.
 
The Roadrunners travel to Texas for a 4 p.m. MDT game at Lubbock Christian, one of the better teams in the Lone Star Conference. Then they'll turn around an head back to Denver for a 6 p.m. Saturday game at the Assembly Athletic Complex against No. 9 Point Loma (Calif.), a team that will be playing closer to Denver (at UCCS) than the Roadrunners on Thursday.
 
"It's a tough week, but we had an opportunity to play Point Loma at home, so I don't think you pass on that," Mertz said. "We've got to go on the road and then come back, but thankfully we're playing Point Loma at home."
 
Last week MSU Denver played two teams that played in last year's NCAA Tournament in then-No. 3 Dallas Baptist and unranked Angelo State (Texas), teams picked to finish first and second, respectively, in the Lone Star Conference. And while the Roadrunners faded in the second half in a 4-0 defeat against Dallas Baptist, they rebounded with a 1-0 victory over Angelo State.
 
The win over Angelo State gave MSU Denver three shutouts in four games, following a pair of 0-0 ties to start the season, and put them at 1-1-2 overall.
 
"Getting the first win is so important," Mertz said. "It alleviates some of the stress the players were feeling. I'm really happy we got a split last weekend. Angelo State is an NCAA Tournament team and a traditional power, projected to finish second in the Lone Star Conference. It gives us a lot of confidence moving forward."
 
Lubbock Christian (2-1-1) is picked to finish fourth in the Lone Star after going 8-3-8 overall last season. They opened this season with a 3-0 loss at Colorado Mesa, then tied 1-1 at CSU Pueblo, before stepping up and winning 3-2 at Regis and 4-0 against New Mexico Highlands.
 
"Lubbock, from the first game I saw them play to their most recent game, has become a completely different team," Mertz said. "It's going to be a difficult test for us."
 
Leading the way for the Lady Chaps is Lexi De La Cruz, who leads Division II with five assists and has three goals. Last year she had 10 goals and three assists.
 
"She's good," Mertz said. "She's fast. She's out wide. She'll be a tricky player to defend."
 
Point Loma, picked only third in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, is 2-0-1. The Sea Lions were 13-3-4 last year while reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
"It's another NCAA Tournament team," Mertz said. "When I took over this program, the goal was to be back on a national scale, and in order to be back on a national scale, you have to play national-quality teams. We need our players to rise to that.
 
"And it's a game that prepares us for what is a grueling RMAC conference. The RMAC is a really tough conference with quality coaches and great players. If we can do well in these non-conference games, it gives us the confidence to move forward in the conference."
 
While MSU Denver players step up their level of play, they can rely on a handful of veterans such as senior Kailey Maness. Maness had the assist with a well-placed pass to Taryn O'Brien for the 83^rd-minute goal against Angelo State, and she not only plays forward for the Roadrunners, she's also seeing some minutes along the back line.
 
"Kailey is just a worker," Mertz said. "She has a refined focus. She's going to be threatening up top, and she's going to be able to transition to the back when we need her there. She's got a good engine on her."