PROVO -- A very strong and competitive 19-game schedule that includes team's from the 2006 NCAA tournament, several top-25 programs, and opponents who are perennial powerhouses in their respective conferences and regions are on the 2007 schedule for the 23rd ranked BYU women's soccer team.
The 2007 campaign begins with a difficult three-game road trip with stops at Michigan State on Aug. 31, at Kansas on Sept. 6th and at Colorado on Sept. 8.
"On this year's team we have a strong core of returning players and we have high expectations for the season," said head coach Jennifer Rockwood. "We are looking forward to the competitive schedule that lies ahead. We will be challenged right from the beginning when we face Michigan State, Kansas, and Colorado on the road."
The home opener for the Cougar team is on Tues., Sept. 11 when Long Beach State, a very good southern California team visits South Stadium in a 7 p.m. kick off. The following Friday night at 7 p.m. it's Wisconsin who visits Provo on Sept. 14. The three-game home stand concludes on Monday, Sept. 17 with a contest against Pacific. That game is set to begin at 8 p.m.
BYU has one of the NCAA's best all time home field advantages, boasting a record of 102-24-7. A big part of that advantage is the huge crowds that pack the stands for home games. The Cougars are consistently in the top 10 in attendance, including last year's average of 2,070 and a total of 20,696 in ten matches. Coach Rockwood is looking forward to playing in front of record selling fans.
"The team is excited to return to South Stadium this year," she added. "We are fortunate to have tremendous support from the university and community. We believe our fans are the best in the country and they will enjoy the level of competition this year at home."
In the middle of September, the Cougars take a short road trip up north for games against instate foe Weber State on the 19th.
Cougar soccer fans will be delighted with four more home games on the schedule in late September into early October. BYU hosts Cal Poly on Sept. 22, Pac-10 foe Washington on Monday, Sept. 24 and a very tough Big West opponent, Montana, on Sept. 29. Another instate rival, Utah State makes an appearance in Provo on Oct. 4th to conclude the four-game home schedule. Kick off is at 7 p.m. against the Aggies.
BYU finishes its non-conference schedule going up against another very tough Pac-10 team on Oct.6. The team travels to Tempe, Arizona for a contest against the Wildcats.
After winning four of the past eight MWC regular season championships, the 2007 Cougar team is set to add another league title to their long list of impressive accomplishments. Coach Rockwood is anticipating another big battle for the league title this season.
"Our conference is shaping up to be one of the most competitive years ever," she added. "Everyone is improving and challenging themselves during the preseason. We'll have to be at our very best each and every game to accomplish our goal of winning the conference championship."
The team plays just three games against league opponents at home beginning with TCU on Oct. 11th followed by instate rivals Utah on Oct. 13. Both games kick off at 7 p.m., from South Stadium.
Three of the next four conference games are on the road for the Cougar team. They play at San Diego State on Oct. 18, at Air Force on Oct. 20th and at Wyoming on Oct. 25th.
MWC foe New Mexico comes to Provo on Oct. 27 in a 7 p.m. start. Then it's off to UNLV for the final regular season game against the Rebels on Nov. 2.
The 2007 MWC Championships will be held in Provo at South Stadium on Nov. 7 -10. Games will be played on Wed., Nov. 7, Thurs. Nov. 8 with the championship contest on Sat. Nov. 10. The winner of the championship gets an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
To kick off the year, BYU will play the annual blue and white scrimmage on Wed. Aug. 22, followed by an exhibition match against Dixie State College on August 27th at 8 p.m. Both of these games are free to the public.