LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands women's soccer team is looking to use a strong set of returnees along with a talented group of newcomers to take another step forward as a program in head coach
Oscar Mendoza's fourth season at the helm.
The Cowgirls went 3-11-2 overall last season, including 3-8-1 in RMAC play. NMHU returns 13 players from last season and has 11 new faces as the Cowgirls open the season 4 p.m. Thursday at Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas.
"We feel good heading into the season," Mendoza said. "There's a lot of opportunity for the team and the chemistry is getting stronger. With our first game, there will be nerves of course, but I'm feeling good about it."
The Cowgirls return sophomore goalkeeper
Briana Ruelas as she led NMHU keepers in games (nine), minutes (613:38) and was second in saves (50). NMHU also returns
Karina Vega (three games, 232 minutes) while they added freshman keeper
Daron Vigil-Scott.
On the back line, the Cowgirls bring back senior defender
Alyssa Palmer (two games last season) and juniors
Carly Griego (played in all 16 games) and
Cheyenne Delgado (played in 11 games) while adding junior transfer
Gracie Geurts (Columbia Basin College) along with freshmen
Maiya Asperin,
Bryana Garcia and
Autumn Stewart.
Returning senior
Alondra Gildo-Ceballos (two goals in eight games) and junior
Brooke Niimi (four games) will also see time on the back line as well as contribute in the midfield.
At midfield, the Cowgirls return seniors
Anna Medina (14 games) and
Larissa Romero (11 games), junior
Alexandra Rodriguez (one goal in 11 games) and sophomore
Ariana Castillo (14 games) while adding sophomore transfer
Daniela Vargas (Eastern New Mexico) and freshmen
Lareina Romero (Larissa's sister),
Monique Nevarez and
Tianna Castillo.
The Cowgirls added a talented junior transfer from Peninsula College in
Janis Martinez (who scored two goals and added an assist in a scrimmage against Trinidad State) as she will see time at both midfield and up top at forward.
The Cowgirls' second-leading scorer last season in sophomore
Breanna Fatten (four goals in 16 games) returns at forward along with senior
Tania Salcedo (one goal, one assist) while NMHU adds freshman
Nitza Rodriguez (who had two assists and a goal in the Trinidad State scrimmage).
Following Thursday's season opener, the Cowgirls play their home opener 11:30 a.m. Saturday against St. Mary's (Texas) at Sanchez Family Stadium.
