The West Coast Conference champion BYU women's soccer team brought home the hardware and will take its 17-game unbeaten streak into the Women's College Cup. The team's stellar season earned a #1 seed in the 'Big Dance' — the highest seed for any women's team in the school's history.
'I don't think there's a better way to end or wrap things up,” said Senior defender Lindsi Lisonbee Cutshall. “We won our conference. That was amazing, and having a first seed is even better, and the fact that we get home-field advantage is exciting.'
As a #1 seed, the Lady Cougars will enjoy home-field advantage for the first four rounds of the tournament, and it will be their first time hosting a NCAA tournament game since 2008. It presents a daunting task for any team that comes to Provo. Cougar fans made South Field one of the most difficult places to play in the entire country, helping the team post an unblemished 10-0-1 home record this season.
Adding further kick to the tournament excitement, BYU will be hosting familiar foe Utah State in the first round — a team the Cougars clawed past for a 1-0 victory earlier this season.
'Yeah, Utah State is a tough team ... so it's going to be a tough game,” said Senior forward Carlee Payne Holmoe, “but I'm confident in our team and know that if we're playing our best that we can beat any team in the country.'
Hopefully confidence and teamwork will keep the team dancing all the way to the Final Four.
The first game against Utah State kicks off this Friday at 6 p.m. at South Field. To encourage fans to fight the cold and support the team, BYU is offering discounted student tickets for only $2.00 and even throwing in a free cup of hot chocolate to help guests stay warm.