BYU Advances To Second, Takes On Nation's Number One Team Santa Clara

After a 2-0 shutout over California in the First Round of this year's NCAA Championships, it's on to the Second Round as the 23rd ranked Cougar team battles the number one Broncos of Santa Clara. The game will be played at 1 p.m., PT at Buck Shaw Stadium, in Santa Clara

BYU's NCAA History

• This will be the Cougars third consecutive visit to the NCAA Women's Soccer Championships.

• In 1997, BYU made its first appearance losing 1-0 in the first round to Santa Clara in Santa Clara.

• Last year was the Cougars best showing finishing in the "Sweet Sixteen." They got there after a 6-1 victory against Stanford in Provo, and a 2-0 shutout over UCLA in Los Angeles. In the round of 16, BYU once again met Santa Clara on their home field with the Broncos picking up a 3-0 win to end the Cougars run at the title.

•BYU's overall record in the NCAA

Year Team Record NCAA

1997 19-4 0-1

1998 21-4 2-1

Cougars In This Week's Polls

• In Soccer Times Poll - 19th

• Ranked 23rd by the NSCAA

Returning Starters To Watch

• 20 Maren Hendershot - F, Sr (14G, 8A, 36PTS, 79SH)

• 14 Karen Wunderli- MF, Sr (3G,10A, 16PTS, 47SH)

• 15 Kim Lowe - MF, Jr (12G, 9A, 33PTS, 57SH)

• 12 Sara Reading - MF, Jr (17G, 5A, 39PTS, 101SH)

• 4 Natalyn Lewis - MF, Jr (4G, 5A, 13PTS, 51SH)

• 11 Sarah Higham - MF, So (8G, 9A, 25PTS, 48SH)

• 00 Jennifer Waldron - GK, So (17 GA, .82GAA, 57SAVES)

Newcomers To Watch

• 5 Rachelle Dixon - 5-6 MF/F, Fr (2G, 2A, 6PTS, 17SH)

• 18 Jeni Willardson - 5-9 MF/F, Fr (7G, 4A, 18PTS, 36SH)

Cougar Season Highs To Date

• Most goals in a game (team) - eight vs Northwestern on 9/4

• Most shots in game (team) - 42 vs University of Wyoming on 11/3

• Most corner kicks in a game (team) - 12 vs San Diego State 10/16

• Most assists in game (team) - eight vs Cal Poly on 9/11

• Most goals in a game (individual- Sara Reading) - three vs University of New Mexico on 10/8

Cougar '99 Quickie Stats After 23 Games

• Averaging 25.2shots on goal per game

• Averaging 3.2 goals per game

• Average 2.92 assists per game

• Average 9.25 points per game

1999 NCAA Women's College Cup Recap - First Round

• BYU captured its 12th win at home with the 2-0 shutout over California.

• Junior forward Kim Lowe scored both goals for the Cougars in Wednesday night's game.

• The win over Cal was the 10th shutout of the year for the Cougars at South Field.

• In 1999 BYU has compiled a 4-1 record against Pac-10 teams, losing only to USC 1-2 in Los Angeles.

1999 MWC Championship Recap - BYU Second Seed

• The Cougars made it to the championship of the first ever MWC Women's Soccer Championships after wins over Wyoming 1-0 and Utah 4-3.

• In the title game BYU met San Diego State where the two played to a 1-1 tie in regulation. Then in sudden death overtime, the Cougars Kim Lowe gave BYU the 2-1 win and the championship.

• A new team and school record was set by the Cougars in the quarterfinal game against Wyoming with 42 shots.

BYU vs Santa Clara Notes - 1999 NCAA Champs, Second Round

Santa Clara is the nation's number one team with a perfect 20-0, 7-0 record. The Broncos play in the West Coast Conference, a title they won earlier this year. Forward Mandy Clemens tops Santa Clara in goals (20), points (61), and assists (21). Teammate Jacqui Little, another forward has tallied 20 goals and six assists for her 46 points on the year. The Broncos are shooting 21 shots and scoring 4.8 goals a game. They are holding opponents to 5.5 shots and .4 goals.

Santa Clara History in the NCAA Championships

This will be the 11th appearance to the NCAA's for Santa Clara, compiling an 14-10 overall record. The Broncos have been to the final-four six times including last season. Santa Clara has never advanced past the semis in the final four. Last year they lost 0-1 to Florida who went on to win the title.

BYU Series VS Santa Clara

The series: 0-2 in favor of the Broncos. In the last two meetings, Santa Clara has defeated the Cougars 1-0 in '97 and 3-0 in '98 ending BYU's run in the NCAA Championships. The 1997 meeting was the first appearance for BYU in the NCAA's and in 1998 the Cougars advanced to the Sweet 16 before getting shut out by the Broncos.

Coach Jennifer Rockwood Quotes

(On the Cougars) We played one of our best games of the year against California from start to finish and we really stepped up a notch in the second half to shut them down. The girls had a lot of fun playing out there and they're playing with a lot of confidence.

(On Santa Clara) We know them quite well because we've had a chance to play them twice now. They are the best team in the country with a lot of speed and technical expertise. If we play our best we have a shot at them, don't count us out yet.

BYU's Travel Itinerary

The Cougar team departs Thursday, Nov. 11 at 10 p.m., arriving in San Jose at 11 p.m. BYU will be staying at the Quality Inn Suites, 3100 Lakeside Drive, near the airport, 408-748-9800, office and 408-748-1476 fax. The Cougars return to Provo on Sunday, Nov. 14 at about 1 p.m.

Cougars Practice Schedule/Media Interviews In Santa Clara

The BYU team has scheduled a practice for Friday, Nov. 12, at 12 p.m., at Santa Clara's Buck Shaw Stadium. Players and coaches will be available for interviews prior to or after the Friday practice. BYU's women's soccer SID Norma Collett will be traveling with the team and is available to coordinate interviews.

Tickets For Second Round NCAA Women's College Cup @ Santa Clara

Soccer fans can purchase tickets at Buck Shaw Stadium for the 1 p.m., game. Prices are $7 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and children under 14 years of age.

Up Next For The Cougars

If BYU defeats Santa Clara in the second round, their next opponent would be the winner of the San Diego vs UCLA game which is scheduled to be played on Nov. 13 or 14.