KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The BYU women’s soccer team has been ranked No. 3 nationally in the United Soccer Coaches preseason top-25 poll.
The No. 3 ranking ties the highest preseason ranking in program history, with the other No. 3 ranking coming back in 2022. The top-25 preseason rankings have featured the Cougars eight times in the last 10 years and 17 times under head coach Jennifer Rockwood. The Cougars began their 2023 season ranked at No. 13 nationally.
Florida State received eight first-place votes and is ranked No. 1 followed by Stanford at No. 2. With the Cougars at No. 3, Penn State, Clemson, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Texas Tech and Memphis round out the top-10.
Two Big 12 teams made the top-25 preseason list including No. 3 BYU and No. 8 Texas Tech.
The Cougars face a strong 2024 schedule, beginning with two exhibition matches against UVU and Wyoming this week. In addition, BYU will take on No. 11 UCLA, No. 12 Saint Louis, No. 16 Arkansas and No. 19 Wisconsin during its non-conference schedule.
With nine starters graduating last year, BYU returns two starters in junior forward Allie Fryer and sophomore goalkeeper Lynette Hernaez from its College Cup squad.
The Cougars welcome eight new freshmen after losing 11 seniors last season: Ella Labrum, Abbi Sine, Mika Krommenhoek, Paiton Collins, Sommer Nestman, Lucy Kesler, Presley Freeman and Emma Hamberlin.
BYU also welcomes four transfers in Mia Curry, Savannah Hansen, MacKenzee Vance and Mattyn Summers.