PROVO -- The BYU women's soccer team has completed its spring competition in its own country, and is now taking its game overseas to compete internationally.
The Cougars finished the spring with a 5-0-4 record and allowed only three goals in nine matches. Freshman goalkeeper Aleena Shelton saw the first consistent minutes of her career this spring and picked up exactly where graduating senior Erika Woodbury left off in her record-breaking career.
Highlighting the season was a 1-0 win over Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., on April 4. All-American and U.S. U-23 team-member Katie Larkin scored the lone goal of the match on a through ball from freshman Becca Riddle. BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said the goal played out beautifully, but also credited her defense for its tremendous performance.
Now the Cougars will head to Europe to test their skills on a whole new level. First, BYU will face Issy les Moulineaux K/O in Paris on April 28. Two days later the team will face A.S. Calciosmania (Serie A2) K/O just outside of Naples, Italy. Rome will be the site of the team's third match against G.S. Roman Femminile (Serie A2) K/O on May 2, then on to Florence to face Il Gioello Firenze (Serie A1) K/O the following day. The team's last match of the trip will also be in Florence against Regiana Femminile (Serie A1) K/O.
The international competition will be the last competition the team will officially have before the fall season begins again in September.