After finishing with a losing record and missing last year's Mountain West Conference Soccer Championships the Wyoming Cowgirls are back in contention for an MWC title.

UW (9-7-3, 3-3-1 MWC) enters the tournament as the No. 5 seed and will face No. 4 New Mexico today at 3 p.m. in Provo, Utah.

"We are excited to be playing in the Mountain West [Conference] Tournament," UW coach Danny Sanchez said. "We know that New Mexico is a very good squad that has a tremendous defense and some of the most dangerous attackers in the league.

"Everyone knows everyone so well at this point of the season that I expect it to be a very competitive tournament."

The Cowgirls used a balanced scoring attack -- five players scored at least three goals -- and solid play from freshman goalkeeper Courtney Merkle in building a 9-3-2 record through Oct. 10.

UW put together a five-game win streak in early October that included a 2-1 victory at New Mexico in which freshmen Mara Cosgrove and Carmen Blume rallied the Cowgirls with two goals in the final 17 minutes.

Merkle allowed an early goal, but shut out the Lobos over the final 42 minutes.

For the season, Merkle has allowed 1.0 goals per game and recorded five shutouts.

Blume has netted four goals on the season to lead UW, while senior Emily Layton, Cosgove and fellow freshman Olivia Mohtadi and Jackson junior Nicole Rice have scored three goals apiece. Senior defender Emma Wilson has a team-high seven assists entering the MWC Championships.

A victory would send the Cowgirls into the semifinals against top seed and defending conference champion BYU on Thursday.

Cowgirls Tracker

WHAT: Mountain West Conference Soccer Championships in Provo, Utah.

TODAY: No. 5 Wyoming takes on No. 4 New Mexico at 3 p.m.

HE SAID IT: "Everyone knows everyone else so well at this point of the season that I expect it to be a very competitive tournament." -- UW coach Danny Sanchez.

UP NEXT: The winner takes on top seed BYU on Thursday in the semifinals.