Nicole Anderson, Kennedy Brown, and Fiona Jenkins have been named to the 2025 Mountain West Women’s Soccer Watch List. The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team was selected to finish seventh in the Mountain West Preseason Women’s Soccer Coaches’ Poll, as announced Wednesday.
The preseason poll is determined by votes from conference coaches. New Mexico received 80 points and two first-place votes, making it one of five teams to receive at least one first-place vote. The Lobos will play three of the teams ranked above them at home this season but will not face one of the top three teams.
Utah State was chosen as the preseason favorite with six first-place votes and 128 points. Boise State followed in second place with three first-place votes and 121 points. Colorado State (111 points, one first-place vote) and San Diego State (109 points, one first-place vote) rounded out the top four. Grand Canyon, a new member of the Mountain West Conference that New Mexico will host on October 9, was picked fifth with 93 points. UNLV was sixth with 87 points. Teams ranked below New Mexico include Wyoming (59), Nevada (55), Colorado College (54), Fresno State (50), Air Force (44), and San José State (23).
Anderson, Brown, and Jenkins were each included on the Mountain West Women’s Soccer Watch List, which features three players from each school expected to be key contributors for their teams this season. All three started every match for New Mexico last year. Anderson was the team’s second-leading scorer in 2024 with four goals. Jenkins played a full 90 minutes in twelve matches—more than any other position player—and recorded her first collegiate goal and assist against conference opponents last season. Brown played full matches seven times and earned her first collegiate assist in 2024.
The Lobos return eighteen players from last season and have added nine newcomers during the offseason. The current roster consists of fourteen underclassmen and thirteen upperclassmen.
New Mexico opens its season with an exhibition match against UTEP on Thursday, August 7 at 7:30 p.m., followed by its regular-season opener at home against Texas Southern on Thursday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m. Admission to all home matches for the upcoming season is free.
Below are the results of the preseason coaches’ poll:
1. Utah State (6) – 128
2. Boise State (3) – 121
3. Colorado State (1) – 111
4. San Diego State (1) – 109
5. Grand Canyon – 93
6. UNLV – 87
7. New Mexico (2) – 80
8. Wyoming – 59
9. Nevada – 55
10. Colorado College – 54
11. Fresno State – 50
12. Air Force – 44
13. San José State – 23
The full watch list includes representatives from all thirteen conference schools.
