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After a rocky start to the season, BYU’s women’s soccer team turned things around and are heading into conference play this week on a five-game winning streak. The Cougars (6-3-2) started off their season with two ties before getting their first win against Tennessee on Aug. 29.
The team then lost three straight games, finding itself in unusual territory, having a losing record. The losses came at the hands of Baylor, Utah and Louisiana State and were all within one goal. The Cougars bounced back, winning three straight at home and then going on the road and getting two wins. BYU beat Denver and SMU 3-0 and 4-1 respectively.
“It feels good to get a couple wins on the road,” head coach Jennifer Rockwood said after last week’s game. “We’ve got to get results from here on out, for sure, if we want to accomplish some of our goals.”
As for goals, the Cougars have finished first in conference play the past two years and are looking to repeat this season.
Ashley Hatch is leading the Cougars’ offense with seven goals so far this season. Elena Medeiros and Marissa Nimmer have both netted three goals. Five other players have also had goals for the Cougars this season.
The Cougars have seen strong performances from several true freshmen so far this season. Forwards Madi Lyons and Nadia Gomez and midfielder Bizzy Phillips have all scored goals and seen considerable playing time so far this season. Lyons scored the game-winning goal against Oregon on Sept. 18.
BYU’s back line has looked solid in its last five games, allowing only two goals. Its back line is anchored by Taylor Campbell Isom, Annie Amos and Sarah Chambers. Keeper Katherine Synder has done a great job in the net for the Cougars, recording two shutouts.
The Cougars begin conference play on the road this Friday against San Diego (4-4-2). The Toreros are coming off a three-game win streak and have only lost one game at home.
Last season when these two teams met, BYU slipped past San Diego 1-0 on a late goal by Marissa Nimmer. It was a physical game between these two dangerous teams and will surely be a battle this year.
The Cougars will face a well-rounded San Diego team on Friday; nine different players have scored goals for the Toreros, and only one goal has been allowed by the Toreros defense in the past three games.
After Friday’s game, the Cougars will return home for two games at South Field. They play Portland on Oct. 9 and Gonzaga on Oct. 11.
