LARAMIE, Wyo. (Aug. 11, 2016) – Wyoming soccer opened the 2016 season in impressive fashion, shutting out the Houston Baptist Huskies, 2-0, on Friday evening at the Louis S. Madrid Soccer Complex.

The Cowgirls (1-0-0) dominated possession from the opening kick and kept the ball in the Huskies’ half of the field for the majority of the contest. Despite out-shooting Houston Baptist (0-1-0) 11-0 in the first half and earning six corner kicks, Wyoming remained in a scoreless tie heading into the intermission.  

Wyoming took the field in the second half ready to capitalize on their multitude of chances, and it didn’t take long. Less than seven minutes into the second frame, senior midfielder Mandy Meyer sent a low cross through the 18-yard box. Her pass found the foot of sophomore forward Charlotte Hume, who rocketed the ball past Husky goalkeeper Katie Turner for the Cowgirls’ first goal of their 2016 campaign. The goal also marked the first of Hume’s career. Just 10 minutes after Hume got the offense going, an identical play set up by sophomore forward Jessie Gentle was buried into the net by senior forward Laurel Ramer to double the Cowgirls’ lead.

“I thought we did a really good job of executing the game plan,” said head coach Pete Cuadrado. “There were a couple things in the first half that I thought we could’ve taken advantage of, and the team did a great job of making a few changes in the second half that created both of the goals. So kudos to them for that. We should do that with a veteran group, but it’s really nice to go out and execute the way we did on both ends of the field.”

On the defensive end, the Cowgirls did not allow Houston Baptist any time on the ball to find its rhythm. The Huskies did not record a shot until the final 10 minutes of the game, and their lone shot on goal came with less than five minutes to play. Wyoming also prevented the visitors from making single trip to the corner flag, while earning 10 corners of its own.

“I think the defense is strong,” said Cuadrado. “We return all four starters and we have some other players who are playing well back there. Georgia (Rowntree) did a good job in goal and made the save she had to make.”

The Cowgirls will travel to Pocatello, Idaho for their first road match of 2016 to face the Idaho State Bengals. Kick-off from Davis Field is set for 4 p.m. MT.