PROVO -- The 2007 BYU women's soccer team showcased its explosive talent for the first time this year Wednesday at the annual Blue and White game, which featured three goals from freshmen players.
"You always want to get on a fresh field with field intensity before the season begins to work out the jitters," head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "Overall I was really pleased with our players. The three freshmen goals were a great sign for our future, but I thought all of our girls did great tonight and we're excited to start the season."
The intra-squad scrimmage pitted the blue jerseys against the white jerseys in the team's first public exhibition of the season. The blue team won 2-1 thanks to two goals from freshman Becca Riddle of Midvale, Utah (Hillcrest High School). The first was a laser in the top-right corner five minutes into the game, and the second was a header with eight minutes left in the game.
"I was pretty nervous before the game, but once the game started the nerves were gone," Riddle said. "College soccer is a lot faster and the players are much better, and the drive on our team is better than any other team I've been on. When everyone wants it, it is so much easier to work out there."
The white team's goal came unassisted from freshman Stacy Bartholomew of Orem, Utah (Timpanogos High School) with seven seconds left in the contest.
The Cougars will host the Dixie State College Rebels on Monday at 8 p.m. in the team's first and only exhibition match of the year. Admission to the event is free. The 2007 BYU women's soccer regular-season schedule begins Friday, Aug. 31 at Michigan State, with the home opener slated for Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. against Long Beach State.