LAS -- Spring play continued this past Saturday April 2, as the BYU women's soccer team traveled to Las Vegas for two exhibition games, playing to a 0-0 tie against UNLV and defeating Southern Utah 2-0.
In 10 spring games thus far, BYU has looked sharp both offensively and defensively, scoring 20 goals and allowed only one. The nine shutouts have been accomplished by the three Cougar goalkeepers splitting time in the box, junior Ashley Smith, sophomore Natalie Evans and freshman Erika Woodbury.
Despite the 0-0 tie, BYU outshot UNLV 15-6 and coach Jennifer Rockwood said she felt the team is beginning to mature in its ability to make mid-game adjustments.
"We certainly did some good things. After coming off of a solid performance the game before, I think we learned that you have be prepared and focused for each game. We got off to a slow start with only three shots in the first half, but we really turned things around and re-grouped in the second half and played fairly well."
In a physical game, the 2004 MWC Champion-Rebels seemed to disrupt the Cougar offense that has made big strides this spring featuring a formation change with four midfielders and two forwards. Nearly one month ago, the Rebels handed the Cougars their only loss this spring, defeating BYU 2-1.
In Saturday's game, both teams had multiple scoring opportunities but neither team was able to score.
"We made some adjustments in the second half and played a lot better but couldn't get the ball to fall for us," added Rockwood. "We just weren't quite as crisp as we were last time we played. Things just didn't come as easy for us but we battled through it."
If Rockwood is hoping for an improvement in 2005 regarding the attitude and level of play of the team, she may have found it, at least with one player.
"The expectation is still that we should be really beat them," said junior Charlene Lui. "From the general feeling that I've heard from some of the players is that our team has the frame of mind that we should've won. We just weren't satisfied with the tie."
In the second game against Southern Utah University, BYU looked to sophomore Annie Zwahlen for both goals on its way to a 2-0 shutout victory. The Cougars outshot SUU 13-4 and dominated the possession throughout the game.
Freshman Natalie Nate and Carolyn Swenson assisted on the first goal. Sophomore Bobbi Tillotson threaded a pass through to Zwahlen in the second half, and Zwahlen put it passed the SUU keeper for the second and final goal of the game.
BYU finishes the spring season this weekend, beginning with the 7th Annual Alumni game Friday, and the 2005 Spring Outdoor Tournament on Saturday.
The Alumni game will be played at South Stadium at 6 p.m. Rockwood said that many of the former players will recently have given birth and alhtough they will be in attendance, she doesn't plan to suit them up for the game. According to Lui, this is good news.
"I don't think we've ever beat them while I've been here, so I think this year we'll be able to beat them. A lot of their key players are going to be out. Even if they haven't been playing for a long time, they are usually pretty good, so it should still be a good game."
Saturday, the Spring Outdoor Tournament will features eight teams playing at South Stadium and at the Indoor Practice Facility.
The eight teams participating this weekend are BYU, Dixie, Idaho State, Southern Utah, Utah State, UVSC, Utah and Weber State. Games will be played every hour beginning at noon with BYU against UVSC. The Cougars play again at 3 p.m. against Utah and against Idaho State at 7 p.m. Each team will play two games at South Stadium and one game in the Indoor Practice Facility. Games will feature two 25-miute halves and a full 11-player roster.
The spring season ends for BYU following the games this weekend and will not start up until August, when practice officially begins. Players will begin their summer conditioning program May 1.
FIELD 1 TBA (SOUTH STADIUM OR PRACTICE)
TimeHome Visitor
1pm USU SUU
2pm DixieWeber
3pm BYU Utah
4pm USU Dixie
5pm UVSC Utah
7pm BYU ISU
FIELD 2 (INDOOR OR PRACTICE)
TimeHome Visitor
Noon BYU UVSC
1pm Utah ISU
3pm UVSC ISU
5pm SUU Weber
7pm USU Weber
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