at University of Northern Colorado When: Friday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m. Live Stats: uncbears.com/ vs. University of Denver When: Sunday, Aug. 21, 12:45 p.m. Live Stats: cubuffs.com Twitter: @CCTigers Weekly Release

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Colorado College kicks off the 2016 season with a pair of games against intra-state rivals as part of the annual battle for the Colorado Cup. The Tigers begin their 33rd season at the Division I level when they visit the University of Northern Colorado on Friday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. Two days later, CC travels to Boulder, Colo., for a clash with the University of Denver at 12:45 p.m. at the University of Colorado's Prentup Field.
 
The Colorado Cup is a season-long tournament featuring all six Division I programs in the state, with the champion being determined by a points system that awards three points for a win, one point for a tie and one point for each goal scored. Since each team is limited to three games in which it can earn points, Colorado College's Mountain West contest against Colorado State University on Friday, Oct. 7, will not affect the standings. This year's champion will not be determined until Friday, Oct. 28, when Air Force visits CC for the final game of the regular season.

Since its inception in 2011, CU has won the cup four times (2011, '12, '14 and '15), while Denver has claimed it once (2013). Colorado College's best finish was second in 2012 and '14.
 
The Tigers own a 15-1-1 advantage in the series with Northern Colorado, but the teams are 1-1-1 in the last three meetings. CC won 14 consecutive matches against the Bears before UNC overcame a two-goal deficit to forge a 2-2 draw in Greeley in 2012. Northern Colorado picked up its first victory over the Tigers, 3-2, in 2014, but Colorado College prevailed, 1-0, a year ago at Stewart Field.

CC holds a 17-7-1 lead in the all-time series with Denver, including a 3-2 victory in the last meeting in 2014 in Colorado Springs. The Tigers won 12 consecutive encounters before DU recorded a 4-2 victory in 1994, but the Pioneers own a 3-2 edge in matches played as part of the Colorado Cup.
 
The Tigers return eight starters and 14 veterans from last year's squad that finished fifth in the Mountain West's regular-season table and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament. Sophomore midfielder Lauren Milliet (Durango, CO), who finished second on the team with points, and sophomore forward Clara Richter (Stockholm, Sweden), who trailed closely with nine, tied for second on the team with four goals. Sophomore midfielder Rae Conlon (Shaker Heights, OH) tied for the team lead with four assists, three of which set up game-winning goals.

The back line features three returning starters – junior defenders Anne-Sophie Lapointe (Quebec City, Quebec), Ali Basom (Enola, PA) and sophomore Anna Gregg (Sacramento, CA). Junior Louisa Mackenzie (Albuquerque, NM), who started all 22 games in goal, finished the season with a 1.42 goals-against average and a .752 saves percentage.
 
Colorado College's lineup is bolstered by a pair of veterans who missed the 2015 season.

Chanisse Hendrix (Roseville, CA) missed her junior campaign after undergoing brain surgery to remove a mass and prevent bleeding. The senior forward played in all 43 games during her first two seasons, scoring six goals and adding nine assists.

Junior Rowan Frederiksen (Newport Beach, CA) posted an 11-4-3 record, along with a 1.17 GAA and .744 saves percentage during her debut season in 2014. But after starting all six games at the World University Games, she suffered a knee injury in CC's first preseason training session.
 
Colorado College's run of five consecutive road games continues on Thursday, Aug. 25, when the Tigers visit the University of Pittsburgh. The two-game trip to the continues on Sunday, Aug. 28, at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.