By Loni Ekins
Cougar women”s soccer will kick off a weekend of excitement as the team hosts the University of Arizona and Boston University in head-to-head competition.
The Cougars will take on Arizona on Friday, Sept. 28 and Boston University on Saturday, Sept. 29 with both games scheduled for 7 p.m. at South Field.
BYU is ranked 20th in the nation with a record of 4-2-1 for the season.
Head coach Jennifer Rockwood said the team is looking forward to playing on its home field.
“We have been away for two and a half weeks and after this weekend we will be away for three weeks,” Rockwood said. “We are excited to play at home, under the lights and in front of our own fans.”
Rockwood said the team will not be making any changes in preparation for this weekend”s games. She said they will be practicing everything. Rockwood would like to see the team create more shot opportunities and get more players in scoring action.
Junior forward Jeni Willardson Viernes believes the key to winning this weekend will be mental preparation.
“We need to be mentally prepared. At Weber, even in our warmups, we were not focused,” Viernes said. “If we aren”t mentally prepared, we don”t go into the game with the intensity we need to beat top teams.”
Viernes also said ball control is one of BYU”s strengths.
“Our strength is keeping possession of the ball. We do a good job holding on to the ball and finding our teammates” feet,” Viernes said.
“One thing we could do better is work harder off ball so we can play our possession game,” Viernes said.
BYU beat Arizona in last year”s matchup in a close 3-2 victory. Currently Arizona holds a 3-1-1 record.
Boston University is also having a successful season according to Rockwood. They are 4-1-1 and have not faced BYU since 1999. At the team”s last meeting, BYU traveled to Boston and brought home the win.
“Both teams will be a good challenge for us,” Rockwood said. “It is an important weekend for us to get both wins.”
