PROVO -- BYU women's soccer team released the 2005 schedule Thursday. Eight NCAA tournament participants and two top-25 teams highlight the BYU women's soccer season. The Cougar women will play a total of 19 games, 11 at home and 8 on the road.
Despite suffering its first losing season in the programs ten-year history with a record of 7-10-4, BYU still managed to finished second place in the Mountain West Conference with a 3-1-2 record. Looking to return to its winning ways next year, BYU's program has finished eight of the past nine seasons ranked in one of the top 25 polls, and has made seven postseason appearances in eight years.
The regular season home games will be played at South Stadium in Provo. The first look at this year's team will be at the traditional Blue & White game on Friday, August 19. BYU will have an excellent pre-season test four days later in Provo against Idaho State. The regular season opens on the road in Honolulu against first-time opponent George Mason on Aug. 27 and Hawaii on Aug. 29.
The Cougars return to Provo for their home opener against Weber State on Sept. 3. Utah State comes to town Sept. 5, followed by Denver University, Sept. 9, and No. 20 Texas, Sept. 12.
The team makes a quick trip to Wisconsin Sept. 16 and 17 to face another first-time opponent with the University of Wisconsin, and Colgate. The Cougars return home to play back-to-back games beginning Sept. 23 against California and Eastern Washington.
BYU travels to the valley of the sun for two challenging games, first in Phoenix against Arizona State, Sept. 29, and second in Tucson against No. 17 University of Arizona, Oct. 1. Conference play begins with three out of the next four home games, beginning Oct. 6 against New Mexico, Texas Christian on Oct. 8, Air Force on Oct. 13 and Wyoming on Oct. 15.
The final road trip of the regular season has BYU making its first stop in Las Vegas to face the MWC champion UNLV on Oct. 20 and against San Diego State, Oct. 22. The season rounds out against in-state rival and last year's MWC tournament champion Utah on Oct.29.
This year's MWC Championships will be played in Las Vegas November 2 through November 5. BYU looks to improve on last year's second place finish and regain the MWC Championship that they have won four of the last six years.