Before heading back to Provo, BYU women’s soccer will have one more away game, against a team that has yet to score against the Cougars.
BYU will face Gonzaga on Saturday at 1 p.m. PDT. Up until this point, the Cougars have only played the Bulldogs three times, with the most recent match in September 2004.
All three games have resulted in shutout wins for BYU, and the Cougars have been able to put at least three goals in the back of the net each time.
Although every confrontation with Gonzoga has resulted in a win, freshman forward Jaiden Thornock said the team needs to make sure to play its best.
“We need to keep working hard, knowing that anything is possible,” Thornock said. “Anyone can lose and anyone can win.”
The Bulldogs have a 7-4-2 season record, and have tied their first two conference games against Saint Mary’s and Loyola Marymount.
Gonzaga has recorded seven shutouts this season, with six of those shutouts resulting in a victory and one in a tie.
Gonzaga’s lead goal scorers are Sarah Rhodes and Emma Dolcetti, who have each scored four goals. Rhodes has had 44 shots so far this season, and also leads the team in assists.
The Bulldogs finished fourth in the conference last season and have five returning starters.
BYU’s goals are spread over 11 players, and eight players have recorded double-digit shots so far this season.
Senior forward Jennie Marshall leads the team with 29 shots.
Cougar defender Lindsi Lisonbee is one of the 42 players on the Missouri Athletic Club’s Harmann Trophy Watch List. Last year, Lisonbee earned second-team All-America honors from the NSCAA.
BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said being optimistic is critical if the team wants to add wins to its record.
“We need to stay positive,” Rockwood said. “We are really excited about the future and the rest of conference play.”
