The ladies teams matter, too!

     While most of cougar nation is paying attention to the football program and looking forward to basketball season, the women’s soccer team has worked its way into a top ten ranking and the women’s volleyball team is still undefeated and hovering around the top 15.

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SOCCER

     Anchored by an experienced backline on defense, the soccer team has opened up the season 9-1, after traveling to Logan and beating the Aggies 1-0 this week.  The backfield has 3 seniors in Lindsi Lisonbee Cutshall, Cami Jensen, and Dana Oldroyd Cusick, who have been playing together for 4 years.  This experience, unity, and cohesiveness along with Junior goalkeeper Erica Owens has led to Cougar opponents being held to only 6 goals on the year. Erica’s endless flow of amazing saves has even led to the birth of a new hashtag, #EricaOwns.

     The offensive attack is one of the smoothest flowing unit I have ever seen, with passes being made with beauty and precision, leading to open lanes and good shots on goal.  The Cougars have taken 183 shots already this year, with 84 being on goal and netting 24 of those shots.  The offense is led by experienced seniors Jessica Ringwood and Carlee Payne Holmoe. Underclassmen Michelle Murphy (Freshman) and Jaiden Thornock (Sophomore) are not afraid to shoot and lead the team with 5 goals each.

     The Cougars have not played an easy slate of games, which is part of the reason they currently have a #8/12 ranking.  They have defeated #11 Long Beach State, #6 Penn State, and #23 Washington, all at home.

Jessica Ringwood thanks the fans after a victory a
 South Field (Photo: byucougars.com)

     South Field has turned into one of the premier pitches in college soccer.  A few years ago, BYU traveled to University Park, PA and played Penn State with a one game contract.  Penn State’s coach recently called Coach Rockwood and asked if they could come out to Provo after hearing about the atmosphere at BYU, wanting to see it with her own eyes.  Penn State got what they came for, as a record crowd of 4922 showed up and played a huge part in helping the cougars win 3-1 that night.  The students behind the east goal were able to help a Penn State penalty kick in the box sail wide left as they chanted and waved their hands erratically to distract the kicker.

     After being denied a trip to the NCAA tournament last year, this big senior class is excited to get to the tournament at the end of this season and make up for last year’s disappointing ending.

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VOLLEYBALL

     Just next door in the Smith Fieldhouse is possibly the most impressive team at BYU.  Earlier today the volleyball team swept the Gonzaga Bulldogs, including a 25-7 whooping in the second set.  The Cougars are 14-0 and have only dropped 4 sets on the year, all in the Wichita tournament.  That means they have swept their way through three tournaments as well as their first two conference match ups.

The volleyball team has not played a slouch schedule, either.  In the Wichita tournament, BYU beat #24 Colorado State 3-1 and also beat #14 Tennessee 3-1.  This past week in the conference opener, #14 Pepperdine came to Provo and was swept. 

The Volleyball team shares a laugh after a cougar point
(Photo: byucougars.com)

     The team is relatively young, with only two seniors on the roster.  The senior experience is playing a huge role as setter Heather Hannemann directs the offensive attack and Nicole Warner has proven to be an asset in the middle.   Freshman Outside Hitter Alexa Gray has been a welcome addition on the team, with the second most kills on the team.  Although she is only a freshman, she comes to Provo with considerable experience, as she has played on a Canadian national team.  She also won the George Washington Tournament MVP last weekend.  Freshman libero Ciara Parker anchors the defense.

     The most valuable player for the cougars so far, though, would have to be Junior Jennifer Hampson.  Jennifer has already been named the MVP of three separate tournaments, as well as the WCC player of the week two times.  With 191 kills and 4.15 kills per set, she leads the cougars in each of those statistical categories.  No team has been able to stop the 6-7 opposite yet this year.

     Something special is happening this year in the Smith Fieldhouse.  BYU has a strong team this year and doesn’t look to be slowing down. Great coaching has lead to solid play all around from the defense to the setter to net play.  Make sure to get down to the Fieldhouse this year a few times and be part of this season.

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     The Soccer team plays UVU this Thursday night. Volleyball is on the road until Oct 11, when they return home to face Portland.