The 2020-21 BYU women’s soccer season is officially underway, after having its fall season initially postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After a historic 2019 season, which included a 21-1-1 overall record, a second-consecutive West Coast Conference Championship and a quarterfinal appearance in the NCAA tournament, four-time WCC Coach of the Year Jennifer Rockwood will look to navigate the new squad through the challenges of playing through unique circumstances.
The Cougars are currently ranked No. 10 in the nation in the Top Drawer Soccer Poll, despite other teams having a record from competing this fall.
“We always have high expectations,” Coach Rockwood said. “Obviously we graduated a lot of fantastic players, but our plan as usual is to reload and get back after things. We have a lot of great returning players and a lot of great young talent coming up.”
BYU lost seven seniors following the 2019 season, but the 2020-21 team returns four starters, including the reigning WCC Player of the Year Mikayla Colohan who accounted for 16 goals and seven assists a season ago.
The Cougars also welcome three transfers, five freshmen and two return missionaries to the roster.
Forward
One of the four returning starters includes Cameron Tucker, a senior from Highland, Utah, who registered 12 goals and nine assists in 2019. She started all 23 games for the Cougars in 2019 and scored four game-winning goals. She was named 2019 All-WCC honorable mention. According to Rockwood, Tucker brings in a lot of speed, offensive attack and the ability to score.
With one year under her belt, forward/midfielder Brecken Mozingo joins the Cougars after playing her freshman season at UCLA. She played in a total of six games for the Bruins and tallied a season-best 24 minutes at Oregon State.
Midfield
Leading the Cougars at the midfield position is senior All-American Colohan, who was named to the 2020-21 MAC Hermann Trophy watch list and was recently selected by the Orlando Pride with the 14th overall pick in the 2021 National Women's Soccer League Draft. She will compete for BYU this spring, then finish her collegiate eligibility in the fall before turning professional.
Sophomore and starter Jamie Shepherd is back for her second season with the Cougs. She started 22 games in 2019 as a true freshman out of American Fork, Utah. She tallied two goals and four assists on her way to being named to the WCC All-Freshman Team and All-WCC honorable mention.
Defense
Josie Gelailich returns for her senior campaign with the Cougars. In 2019, she recorded two goals, three assists and seven shots on goal in the 2019 season.
Transfer Grace Johnson of Centerville, Utah, joins the Cougars for her senior year. In her three years at Ole Miss, Johnson recorded four goals, four assists, 12 points and 23 shots in her 59 games played.
Natalee Wells of Alpine, Utah, joins the BYU roster after playing two seasons for the Utes. She played in every game for Utah in 2016 and 2017 while totaling eight assists and nine shots as a defender. The junior recently returned from serving an 18-month LDS Church mission in Mongolia.
Goalkeeper
After many injuries in her first three years with the team, senior Cassidy Smith is healthy and prepared to lead the Cougars this spring.
“She’s our captain and our leader,” Rockwood said. “I’m really looking forward to this opportunity for her that she’s worked hard for. She brings a wealth of experience and maturity.”
Freshman Savanna Empey is returning after redshirting her first year and serving a LDS Church mission in New Zealand. After not playing a game for three or four years, she was able to get some playing time in the exhibition game against Weber State. Her maturity, Coach Rockwood said, is a trait of hers that will help the team succeed throughout the season.
Savanna’s younger sister, freshman Haven Empey, will also play in the goalkeeper position. According to Rockwood, Haven also has a lot of potential and is excited with the depth and talent among the three keepers.
BYU will begin its 2021 slate at the Zions Bank Real Academy against rival Utah on Saturday, Feb 6 at 5 p.m MST. The game will be broadcast live on the BYUtv App, as well as on the BYU Radio platforms. The Cougs will then head to California for three-straight matches against UCLA, USC and San Diego. Until further notice, games will be closed to the public.