BYU's Ashley Hatch and Elena Medeiros celebrate being the WCC champions. (Photo courtesy of @BYUsoccer_w)
After failing to clinch a share of the conference title last Thursday with a 1-1 tie over St. Mary's, the Cougars came back on Saturday with a 4–0 win over Pacific that gave them the West Coast Conference title outright.
The Cougars (13–3–3, 7–0–1) also earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament which begins Nov. 14.
'I'm really, really proud of this group of girls for the season we've had,' BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said in a press release after Saturday's game. 'We had a rocky start, and the girls have continued to work hard every game. Winning another WCC championship is unbelievable.'
The Cougars only won one of their first six games, tying two and losing three. The Cougars then completely turned their season around by winning 11 straight games. Their winning streak was changed to an unbeaten streak when they tied St. Mary's last week. Their win on Saturday gives them a 13-game unbeaten streak.
BYU, only the fifth team to win three consecutive WCC titles, has won every year except its first year in the conference, 2011.
Despite winning their conference, the Cougars still have one regular season game left this Saturday against Pepperdine.
The Cougars celebrate with their California fans after winning the WCC. (Photo courtesy of @BYUsoccer_w)
'We're excited to move on and play Pepperdine for a chance to finish the season undefeated in conference,' Rockwood said.
BYU has scored 45 goals this season and has only allowed opponents to score 15 goals. Ashley Hatch is the Cougars' leading goal-scorer, with 17 goals so far this season. Elena Medeiros leads the team in assists with seven this season; she has scored a total of five goals.
The Cougars are averaging 18.7 shots per game and 2.37 goals scored per game compared to their opponents, who are averaging 7.7 shots per game and 0.79 goals.
Goalkeepers Katherine Snyder and Hannah Clark have combined for 48 saves and 10 shutouts so far this season.
The Cougars made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament last year and to the quarterfinals in 2012.
The No. 15 Cougars will face a talented Pepperdine team this Saturday, which is ranked No. 12 and is 14–2–3 overall and 5–1–2 in conference play.