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Provo • In many ways, it is now or never for the BYU women's soccer team.
The Cougars, ranked No. 16 in the first National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll and picked to win the West Coast Conference for the fifth straight year, begin the 2016 campaign on Friday at Washington State. Their home opener is Monday against Nebraska.
To say expectations are high would be an understatement.
Having finished last season ranked 13th after losing to Stanford in an NCAA Tournament second-round match, BYU returns 18 of the 21 players who saw action in 2015, including its three leading goal scorers — Nadia Gomes, Elena Medeiros and Ashley Hatch — and the league's top goalkeeper, Rachel Boaz.
"It was one of our best years ever last year, based on the competition we played, and how we played, and the results we got," coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "Having to see Stanford in the second round was tough. We ended up two [rounds] short that we thought we could have gone."
The coach said that early ouster on Stanford's home pitch provided plenty of motivation in the offseason for her team. It got better during an April International Tour of Italy as Hatch returned to the teams after a knee injury cut short her season last fall.
"I definitely found my rhythm again and kind of learned how to play again," Hatch said. "That trip was incredible, and very beneficial to the team."
The Cougars played UCLA to a 2-2 draw in an exhibition match last week in Los Angeles, an acceptable result for Rockwood. Gomes, the reigning WCC Player of the Year, scored both BYU goals and the Cougars outshot UCLA 11-7.
"The experience we got last year, playing a demanding schedule, and having a lot of success" has caused expectations to soar, Rockwood said. "The returning players have got two or three years under their wings, and we have six great seniors who have been in our program and have accomplished so much, and are eager to end their careers on a high note."
Gomes, a native of Portugal who prepped at Brighton High, missed spring workouts because she was recovering from a knee injury that did not require surgery. She's 100 percent now, she said when the Cougars had their first practice in August, and ready to see how far the Cougars can go this season.
"I think we are going to be really good," Gomes said.
Rockwood will make some minor tweaks to her lineup.
Michele Murphy Vasconcelos, an all-WCC postseason selection last fall, will play up top "because she is so dangerous," Rockwood said, and Paige Hunt Barker will move to the midfield. Also back and expected to play key roles are Bizzy Phillips Bowen, Taylor Campbell Isom, Madie Lyons and Carla Swensen Haslam.
"All the girls are more prepared now than any team of mine has ever been going into the first day of practice," Rockwood said.
Ten players on the team are married, and six are returned missionaries.
Still, Rockwood expects newcomers such as freshmen Danika Bowman, Elise Flake, Brynlee Welch and Lizzy Braby to contribute right away.
"Our freshmen have been in town, going to school, doing a lot of work, and they look great," Rockwood said. "They will be challenging for minutes from the start, for sure. We have a great core of returning, experienced players, but I tell you, our freshmen are ready to play."
Twitter: @drewjay —
No. 16 BYU at Washington St.
Friday, 8 p.m. MDT
TV • Pac-12 Networks
Live Stream • Pac-12.com
Monday's home opener
At South Field, Provo
Nebraska at No. 16 BYU, 5:30 p.m. MDT
TV • BYUtv