PROVO, Utah – Wednesday's training marks the official beginning of the 2017 season for BYU women's soccer.
Head coach Jennifer Rockwood's team will defend its fifth-straight West Coast Conference title and look to return to the NCAA tournament. The Cougars advanced to the third round last year and ended the season ranked No. 9 in the nation.
Much has changed on the roster and staff. Among the six seniors who departed were Ashley Hatch and Michele Vasconcelos — two of the most prolific scorers in Cougar history. BYU signed freshmen Mikayla Colohan, Makaylie Moore, Josie Guinn, Cameron Tucker, Ellie Smith, Savanna Empey and Emma Bailey. Josie Manwill and Shaylyn Orr returned from missions. Assistant coach Brent Anderson (formerly at Utah Valley) joined Rockwood's staff after longtime associate head coach Chris Watkins left for Gonzaga.
Returning is the entire defense, which ranked ninth in goals-against average last season. Last year's defensive starters were Taylor Isom, Stephanie Ney, Alyssa Jefferson and Danika Bowman, along with goalkeeper Hannah Clark. Isom claimed NSCAA All-America Second Team honors for 2016.
The top-returning offensive producer is Nadia Gomes, who was the WCC Player of the Year in 2015. In her BYU career, Gomes has 18 goals and 19 assists. Her 12 assists last season were tied for fifth nationally. Along with Gomes and Clark, returning midfielder Bizzy Bowen is a team captain.
The Cougars will play eight Power 5 teams and nine that clinched berths in the 2016 NCAA tournament. BYU welcomes 2013 national champion UCLA to South Field and plays at 2015 champ Penn State for the second-straight year.
BYU's Blue and White exhibition at South Field will be on Saturday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. MDT. The first home game of the regular season will be on Aug. 21 against Ohio State.
Tickets can be found at BYUTickets.com.
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