BYU Women’s Soccer 2008 Season in Review
The BYU women’s soccer team finished the 2008 season as one of the best teams in the program’s storied history. The Cougars finished as undefeated MWC Regular Season and Tournament Champions and ranked as high as No. 19 in the nation at the end of the season. Advancing past the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003, the team benefited from stellar play from its veteran leaders and also enjoyed significant contributions from some newcomers as well.
Record Setting Season
The record-setting 2008 squad finished 18-5-1, and dominated their conference and home schedules in a way that few other Cougar teams have. The 18 wins are the most for the program since the team won 19 games in 2000. BYU finished a perfect 8-0 at home, and outscored opponents 15-1 at South Field. The team entertained 15,010 fans at home (1,876/game avg.), who enjoyed an enhanced experience with bleacher and lighting upgrades made to the field. The team had similar success in going undefeated (7-0) in MWC play for the first time since 2002, outscoring league opponents 15-1.
Strong play on both sides of the ball continued for the Cougars as they advanced as the number one seed into the MWC Tournament. After a first-round bye, the Cougars defeated host UNLV 4-0 before topping in-state rival Utah 1-0 in the championship game of the tournament. The Cougars had previously beaten Utah 5-0 in Salt Lake during the regular season.
Catching fire midway through the season, the Cougars had winning streaks of three and 12 games during the season. During the 12-game winning streak the team outscored their opponents 25-1. Tough defense frustrated opposing teams, and BYU had shutout streaks of three, five and six games during 2008. The team finished the season without a loss in its last 13 games, and did not lose after Sept. 25. Cougar keepers had a goals-against-average of only 0.74 per game, and only allowed 18 goals the entire season.
The team never lost a game in which they scored first, finishing 17-0 in 2008. BYU only trailed in six games the entire year. The Cougars defeated two ranked opponents, No. 19 Georgia (at home, 4-1) and No. 19 Miami (on the road, 1-0, the loss was Miami’s first of the season) and also handed 8-0 Michigan State its first loss (2-0) of the year.
Hosting the NCAA’s
Brigham Young University was selected to host games for the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament, and the Cougars faced off against a tough Virginia Tech squad that had advanced to the ACC Tournament Championship game. Strong play helped the Cougars dispatch the Hokies 2-0, and the team advanced to the second round of the tournament to face waiting USC, the 2007 defending College Cup champions.
BYU battled the Trojans to a 1-1 tie in an emotional game, but USC got the best of the Cougars in the shoot-out, winning 3-2 and moving on to the next round. Even though USC advanced by winning the shoot-out, the game was tied after two overtimes, and was recorded as a tie.
Plentiful Individual Awards
The 2008 edition of the BYU women’s soccer team was extremely successful as a team, but many individual players were also honored for their success, hard work and skill both on and off the field. For the third time in her BYU career, senior forward Katie Larkin was named an All-American by the NSCAA/adidas.She finished the season with 11 goals, 23 points and 66 shots She was also named to the prestigious Hermann Trophy Award watchlist for the second consecutive year. Larkin was also nominated as a candidate for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS award, and was named the MWC Offensive Player of the Year as well as the 2008 MWC Tournament MVP. She was also named First Team All-MWC.
Junior defender Andrea Willis was also named All-MWC First Team, and was selected as the 2008 MWC Defensive Player of the Year. Freshman forward Lauren Anderson, who had 20 points, 10 assists and five goals was also named All-MWC First Team along with defender Jessica Carter. Sophomore forward Kassidy Christensen had 43 shots, six goals and 16 points and was named to the All-MWC Second Team. For the third time in her tenure as a coach at BYU, head coach Jennifer Rockwood was named MWC Coach of the Year.
To see the Cougars this season, fans can purchase reserved tickets now by calling 422.BYU1 or visiting www.byutickets.com.