Cougars set for Bulldogs

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The BYU women’s soccer team is looking forward to their upcoming game Friday against their division foe the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

“We’re really excited to play Gonzaga,” senior forward Jessica Ringwood said. “Every game is so important, especially against teams with a lower RPI. Those games are so important because they can really hurt you. We just need to come out hard because we have a huge opportunity this year to take the conference and host a game for the tournament, so we’re really excited and its going to be a big game.”

This is one of the final two home games for the No. 5 Cougars who have not lost at the South Field all year.

BYU forward Carlee Payne Holmoe crosses the ball during this year’s game against Penn State at South Field.

The Cougars are coming off a big win in Portland last week, beating the Portland Pilots and pushing their current unbeaten streak to 12 games. The Cougars have also recorded 14 straight games with double-digit shot attempts.

“It was such a great win to go into Portland,” BYU Coach Jennifer Rockwood said. “I was so proud of the girls because we played so well and rose to the occasion. Its just important looking forward that we don’t underestimate anybody. We need to be careful that we’re prepared to come out against Gonzaga who doesn’t have a conference win yet and will likely give us their very best shot with their backs against the wall.”

The Cougars have had an amazing season thus far, using their experience to play great team defense and over match their competition no matter who it may be. One of the Cougars’ assistant coaches, Chris Watkins, attributes the girls amazing season directly to the players.

“We have dominant players,” he said. “When we line up our 11 against our opponents 11, we just have great players and they know that they can play. They line up across from someone and look them in they eye and say, ‘we can do this.’ They naturally have that confidence and they’re very good athletes who have been in every situation over the last few years. Mixed with not getting into the tournament last year, as coaches we just get out of the way.”

The Cougars and Bulldogs kickoff Friday at the South Field at 7 p.m.

 

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