PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Women's Soccer will battle in-state rival New Mexico Highlands University on Sunday afternoon at the NMHU Soccer Complex. The Hounds enter the contest 1-1, while the Cowgirls hold and 0-2 standing.
Here is the Pitch Preview:
UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP
Head Coach
Eric Belcher took over the Greyhounds program in the summer and has working to get the squad ready for the 2022 season. Before joining Eastern, Belcher spent a successful season at Ohio Valley University, where he led the program to a 13-2-1 record and the River States Conference in 2021. Prior to heading to OVU, Belcher spent five years at Glenville State, serving as the first head women's soccer coach in program history.
MEET THE SQUAD
Eastern return
Selena Casias,
Samantha Vasquez, and
Haley Huff having played and started in every game during the 2021 campaign. Additionally,
Tori Galindo appeared in every game with 14 starts,
Kinsie Mitchell returns after missing the majority of last season due to injury, while
Elita Casias and
Kelsey Medina come back to the team after combining for seven points last season. ENMU also bring in seven new members to the program, including four first-years (
Ashley Sexton,
Caroline Jensen,
Karlee Scott, and
Abby Ditzler) and three transfers (
Ally Spicker,
Hannah Grady, and
Emma Hafenbrak).
LAST TIME OUT
The Greyhounds picked a win in its first weekend of action with a 1-0 win over CSU-Pueblo. Galindo found the lone goal, heading in a cross from Medina on the left wing.
Samantha Jeffries made seven saves in the shutout effort. Recently, ENMU suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Colorado Christian. The Hounds couldn't find a tying goal during the 90 minutes, while Jeffries kept out five shots for Eastern.
SCOUTING THE COWGIRLS
New Mexico Highlands enter Sunday's contest off the back of two losses, a 5-1 defeat to Chaminade and 5-0 setback against Lubbock Christian. Melissa Olivares scored the lone goal against Chaminade, coming just after the start of the second half. Overall, NMHU has recorded eight shots with four shots on goal. In net, Isabella Ortiz has posted 12 saves so far this season with a .545 save percentage. Along with Oritz, Gillyann Granados has played every minute for the Cowgirls this season.
