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BYU women’s soccer: The first taste of live fall sports

By Adam Andreason

FULLERTON, CA - JULY 20: A detailed view of the MLS/SuperLiga ball in play during the SuperLiga match between CD Chivas USA and the New England Revolution at Titan Stadium on July 20, 2008 in Fullerton, California. The Revolution and Chivas USA played to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
FULLERTON, CA - JULY 20: A detailed view of the MLS/SuperLiga ball in play during the SuperLiga match between CD Chivas USA and the New England Revolution at Titan Stadium on July 20, 2008 in Fullerton, California. The Revolution and Chivas USA played to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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Saturday, BYU women’s soccer kicked off not only their pre-season schedule, but the magic of fall sports.

The BYU women’s soccer Blue-White scrimmage was my first live sporting event of the fall season—and it was glorious.

Pristine weather conditions. The promise of a top-10 ranked team in what may be the premier women’s sport. The eagerness to leap back into the fall season Cougar athletics.

All of it brought a nice crowd back to a renovated South Field, streaming in to the sounds tunes played on the loud speakers, and the smell of concessions stands.

Even after losing the likes of draft picks Michelle Murphy Vasconcelos and Ashley Hatch, not to mention Elena Mederos, the Cougars strikers have reason to expect another high-flying season.

2016 WCC Defender of the Year Taylor Isom is still patrolling the back line. Nadia Gomes is back, and has all the chance to regain her 2015 Conference POY crown. Talent that couldn’t get playing time behind a glut of senior superpower is chomping at the bit for chance on the make bank on the pitch.

Instead of the common 1’s v 2’s intrasquad scrimmage, BYU women’s soccer head coach Jennifer Rockwood opted for evenly divided teams. This led to a largely balanced affair on the field.

The 3-1 score difference was less because one side looked entirely outmatch and more because the white team capitalized on their chances when they were presented and the blue did not.

The cheers of the crowd were a bit tentative, as they tend to be when your team is playing your team. But BYU women’s soccer fans were treated to some high level play that showcased the Cougars’ depth and variety.

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The signature high pressure by BYU forwards was on display on both sides. Strikers dogged defenders in their defensive third, causing turnovers, looking for goals early and often. There was were also moments when the connecting passes simply didn’t find their mark.

Younger players would make a move here or there that reminded you why people call the sport “the beautiful game,” and then they would turn it over with a clumsy handle or an overly aggressive move.

But it was more than good enough until football’s open scrimmage next week. BYU women’s soccer offered a tantalizing taste of live fall sports.

And it was sweet.

Bonus: Dastrup spotted

Cougar sports superfan and basketballer Payton Dastrup made an appearance in the crowd of the Blue-White scrimmage. The 6-foot-10 sophomore forward was looking svelte and clean.

Calling my shot: the former Ohio State commit is going to make a big jump this year.

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