OPENING KICKOFF: The Snow College women's soccer team hits the road this weekend for two big matchups in Yuma, Arizona. The Badgers will face Cochise College Friday at 3:00 p.m., followed by a showdown with Arizona Western College Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
 
The Badgers enter the weekend ranked No. 8 in the NJCAA Division I Women's Soccer Rankings, and are riding momentum from a 3-0 win over USC Lancaster last Friday. Sophomore forward Saige Meryhew was named Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Week after her standout performance in that victory.
 
KNOW YOUR FOE: Friday's matchup against Cochise promises to be a competitive one. The Apaches are off to a 3-0-1 start this season after finishing 11-4-3 in 2024. The Badgers, who opened their season 1-0, posted a 15-2-2 record last fall.
 
Saturday, The Badgers will face AWC. The Matadors are currently 2-0 and, like Snow College, finished last season with a 15-2-2 record. The last time these teams met was in 2021, and resulted in a 2-0 win for the Badgers. 
 
SWAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: After missing the entire 2024 season due to injury, Saige Meryhew has been named the Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday.
 
Meryhew made a memorable return to the field in the Badgers' season opener against USC Lancaster. In her first game action since 2023, Meryhew scored two goals in the second half to help lift the Badgers over the Lancers, 3-0.
 
Meryhew netted her first goal in the 57th minute on an assist from Mirabel Shellabarger. She followed that up just minutes later with another in the 66th, this time on a feed from Madi Thurgood to help the Badgers to victory.
 
Before her injury, Meryhew helped carry the offensive load for the Badgers in 2023. She appeared in 15 games, including 12 starts, and led the team in nearly every offensive category. She scored 11 goals and added seven assists, both of which paced the team.
 
As a result of her strong 2023 season, Meryhew was selected to the All-Region 18 First team. She helped the Badgers reach the postseason and clinch a berth into the Region 18 Title game.
 
PREVIOUSLY: The Snow College women's soccer team opened the season in dominant fashion on August 26th with a 3-0 victory over USC Lancaster at the Snow College Soccer Complex.
 
Snow College gained the momentum right away, putting up eight shots on goal before being awarded a penalty kick in the 34th minute after persistent pressure in the box. Maci Nell, who had been subbed in just seven minutes earlier, stepped up and scored to give the Badgers a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
 
The Badgers came out strong again in the second half, continuing to apply pressure with more shots on goal. USCL managed to counterattack in the 53rd minute. Goalkeeper Daisy Williams stepped up to make a crucial save and deny the scoring opportunity.
 
In the 57th minute, Mirabel Shellabarger connected with Saige Meryhew, who found the back of the net for Snow's second goal. Meryhew wasn't done yet — just a few minutes later, she scored again, this time off an assist from Madi Thurgood, extending the lead to 3-0 and securing her second goal of the season.
 
The Badgers' defense was able to hold steadfast over the final 25 minutes of action to secure the 3-0 win and the first shutout of the season. Snow College recorded 24 total shots, including 12 shots on goal. Defensively, the Badgers allowed just one shot on goal throughout the match.
 
UP NEXT: Snow College will host Utah State University Eastern Saturday, Sept. 6 at 1:00 p.m. at the Snow College Soccer complex in Ephraim. Overall, Snow College holds an all time record 18-2-5 against USUE. The Eagles are also 1-0 on the season after defeating USCL 3-0 last week. For video streaming and live stats information, visit snowbadgers.com.