Defenders Kym Lowry and Kelly Ross provided the offense as the University of Colorado soccer team defeated Utah 2-1 Saturday at Prentup Field in Boulder.

University of Colorado sophomore CU’s Kelly Butler protects the ball against Illinois’ Laura Knutson at the University of Denver’s new soccer stadium. Jordan Hilbrands scored two goals as the Illini defeated CU 2-1 on Friday afternoon. (photo by Tom Auclair/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

CU’s Kara Linder and Nikki Marshall add to their growing list of accolades, the Nats call up Conor Casey for two qualifiers, the Rapids have a few new teams to worry about, the Buffs and Pioneers have busy weekends ahead of them, the Metro State women are aiming high, and more!

Nikki Marshall, above right, scored a first-half goal as the Colorado Force tied its fourth consecutive game, a 1-1 draw against Ventura County on Wednesday at the Loveland Sports Park. (photo by Tom Auclair/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Midfielder-defender Ivan Guerrero leaves the Colorado Rapids, Colorado Force goalkeeper Kara Linder (right) is honored by the W-League, find our how much money Pat Noonan earns in a year, the Rapids’ reserves win 5-1 against the Real Colorado Foxes, free haircuts and ice cream Saturday night at Dick’s, vote for the Major League Soccer all-star team and more.
(photo by George Tanner/ ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Zoe Avner of the Colorado Force defends against Pali Blues midfielder Iris Mora on Sunday in Loveland. The Colorado Force will attempt to win its first game of the season tonight against the Ventura County Fusion. (photo by George Tanner/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Colorado Force striker Molly Thomas holds the ball in front of Pali Blues left back Jenny Anderson-Hammond on Sunday in Loveland. Goalkeeper Kara Linder made eight saves and Estelle Johnson led a defense that would not break as the Force held off the undefeated Pali Blues in a scoreless draw. (photo by Tom Auclair/ ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Brianne Young scored on a free kick in the 88th minute as the Real Colorado Cougars salvaged a 2-2 tie with the Colorado Force on Thursday at the Loveland Sports Park. Above, Real Colorado’s Jenn Kmezich and the Force’s Mo Smunt, right, collide in the first half. (photo by George Tanner/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

(photo by Zane Tanner/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)
Colorado Force defender Carly Peetz goes up for a header during a corner kick in the first half. Seattle’s Michelle French scored in the 32nd minute as the Sounders topped the Colorado Force 1-0 on Wednesday.

As the Colorado Force begins its season at 7 p.m. tonight against Seattle at the Loveland Sports Park, we take a look at the players who the Force will rely on most heavily in 2009.