LARAMIE — Josh Purdum knew it was “just a matter of time.”
That’s why Isabel Vasco’s commitment in winter 2024 created a “nice Christmas present” for Purdum, then months into a rebuild as University of Wyoming’s newly appointed soccer coach.
He chased the goal-scoring talents of Green River’s Vasco – aware of her regional notoriety – and remained committed to winning over in-state talent.
The results appeared within weeks.
Vasco’s emergence as a freshman continued as her two goals – and Alyssa Glover’s record-setting goal – boosted Wyoming soccer over San Jose State, 4-0, on Wednesday afternoon at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex.
“Pleased with the response,” said Purdum, who celebrated his 39th birthday Wednesday. “Obviously, you don’t want to draw up that last game (a loss at University of California, Davis), but I think you need those games as a reminder of what we are capable of.
“Certainly, we are never perfect. So, we have got to address some things.”
Vasco opened the scoring in the 11th minute, then pushed things to 4-0 in the 59th minute.
LARAMIE — There are certain circumstances when talent supersedes the resources.
Glover became the program’s all-time leading goal scorer (26) when she converted a penalty kick in the 28th minute.
“It means everything to me,” Glover said. “I have spent a lot of time working toward this, and a lot of people have put in a lot of effort to help me get here, so it means a lot.”
Glover entered the match tied for the record with former teammate Jamie Tatum, who played from 2019-23.
“The biggest thing that rubbed off on me was (Tatum’s) confidence,” Glover said. “She walked into every game knowing that she was going to score. I have tried to implement that, especially in the last two years.”
The team honored Glover’s accomplishment with a commemorative ball to recognize the record. Purdum requested a team photo seconds before he said, “I want to remember this team forever.”
“They are just taking us to the next level,” Purdum said. “That is everything we have asked this group to do. We have laid the foundation. We have got the details under us. We have got the horses. Now, let’s go and execute.
“This sets the tone for years to come, and I want this to be the best team Wyoming has ever seen.”
Glover pushed her season total to seven goals. Her 11 goals and 25 points in 2025-26 set UW single-season records and topped the Mountain West.
“I know if I give (Glover) the ball or if I drive inline and I drop it, she is going to score,” Vasco said. “If (Glover) is on the ball, I know I need to get to the box because it is going to come off.”
Vasco’s season tally, meanwhile, pushed to five, which is the second-most goals on the team.
“(Confidence) has been good,” she said. “Just growing into the game and just getting used to the level of pace. The trust that my teammates have in me. Before every game, they say, ‘Isa, go score. Go get us a goal. We trust you.’ Them putting their trust in me gives me a lot of confidence in the game.”
LARAMIE — Alyssa Glover used to give Josh Purdum headaches.
Raegan Richardson scored her first goal of the season and pushed UW’s lead to 3-0 in the 40th minute.
A potential goal from Wyoming’s Brooke Brown was negated in the 84th minute because of offsides.
Haley Bartel collected three saves, which extended her program record of career shutouts to 25.
Bartel denied a penalty kick attempt from Paige Pineda-Aliamus 69 seconds into the match.
University of Wyoming freshman Isabel Vasco dribbles the ball behind Weber State defenders on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex in Laramie.
Kirk Miller/For WyoSports
The Cowgirls (9-3 overall, 2-1 MW) responded in their first home match in 38 days. They barged into conference play with their best nonconference mark (7-2) in program history.
That stretch included six consecutive wins and a program-record six consecutive road wins before league newcomers University of California, Davis, stopped the streak this past Friday.
The Cowgirls visit UNLV at 1 p.m. Sunday.