A Little Place Called Hawaii

Brother Lui met us at the airport and gave everyone Lei's, we love him!

The team just got back from Hawaii, and they had a great time. They left last Wednesday, and headed to the beaches for some time in the ocean, and getting their last summer tans. They attempted to go snorkeling, and spent some time at "Pounder's Beach", where the lifeguards quickly told them it was not recommended to get into the water. Not get in the water in Hawaii, just doesn't make sense. They did some shopping, and some team bonding. Ashley Bazzerone got stung by a Man-O-War, and it wrapped all the way around her leg, she took it like a champ!

"Lucky Hawaii Shirts"

Sweet Little Georgia

They played the University of Hawaii on Friday, and the game ended in a tie, 0-0. The Cougs had some chances, and one in the last few seconds of the game that skimmed the post. The soccer team heads to Pennsylvania this weekend to play UConn and West Virginia. They then return home for their first home game, September 4th @ 7:00 PM, against William & Mary.

Let The Season Begin

The Cougs are getting ready for the season!  They will be starting their second week of two-a-days, and spending endless hours together. They have been running fitness tests, sitting in the cold pool,enjoying their preseason BBQ's, and working hard.  The Cougs have a competitive schedule this season, and will be playing William & Mary, Oklahoma Sate, and Oregon at home. They will also be playing UConn, West Virginia, Washington State, and Arizona all on the road.  The Cougs are excited, and we are all looking forward to their fist game.  Check the blog to see what the Cougs are doing on road trips, and how the season is going.  Join the girls for their Blue and White game this Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 7:00 PM.

 

The BYU girls are keeping busy this summer.  Most of them went home to spend the summer with family and friends, and others stayed around in Provo to do camps, play some soccer, and work out with Josh.  Soon all the girls will start to trickle back into Provo, and train together to get ready for the season.  The season is just over a month away, and the girls are working hard to get in shape and be ready for the season.  Some of the girls that are still around, are playing on a semi-professional team, the Utah Starzz, in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL).  The WPSL has 50 teams nationwide with some of the best soccer players in the United States. Teams are comprised of women’s college soccer players, former college soccer players, former professional players and international players.  The Utah Starzz team is comprised of some of the best current and former players from Brigham Young University, University of Utah, Utah Valley University, Utah State University, and Idaho State University.  Nicole Urry-Gilliam, Stacy Bartholomew, McKinzie Olson, and Andrea Willis are playing for the Utah Starzz.  They are currently in 3rd place in their division, and have 5 games left in their season. You can catch the Starzz in action in their next home game on July 3, 2009 at 6:00 PM.  Keep up the good work girls, the season is just around the corner.  

A LIttle Update

Here is a quick update on Katie Larkin.  She is currently playing for LA Sol.  She has played in 10 games and started in 2.  The LA Sol is currently in first place in the league, and they have only lost 1 game all season.  There are only 7 games left and 2 home games. She has been doing great out in California. Of course we miss her, but she has been tearing it up.  She is playing with some of the best players in the world.   Good  job Larkin, we are cheering for you, keep up the great work!   

TIME FOR REGIONALS

The Youth Soccer Region IV Championships, featuring top teams in the U-12 through U-19 age groups, begins with round robin games Monday, June 15 through Wednesday, June 17.  There will be 4,500 players that take the field tomorrow for the Region IV Championships which will be held in Lancaster, California.  Among these players are some of our own BYU team members.  Carlee Payne (California), Lindsi Lisonbee (Utah), Auna Janis (Utah), and McKinzie Olson (Utah), just to name a few.  You can follow the girls at:

http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/regionIV/

Good luck girls, make us proud!  Check back to see updates on how the games are going, and what the girls are up to in good ole' Lancaster, California!  

Recruiting Class of 2009 Ranked Top in MWC

The BYU Women's Soccer 2009 recruiting class has been ranked the best in the Mountain West Conference.  TopDrawerSoccer.com recognized the group of seven girls who will joining the team in the beginning of August.  The incoming freshmen will help the defending MWC Champions continue the winning tradition the team has established.  

One member of the class, forward Carlee Payne was recognized as a member of the ESPN Rise Winter Girls' Soccer All-American First Team.  Payne is a forward from Pleasanton, California, and was one of the two athletes highlighted by ESPN.  She was named the Contra Costa Times Player of the Year following a 25-goal, 13-assist season.  

The season is just around the corner, and the Cougars start their season off on August 12, 2009 with their Blue/White game, and then head to Hawaii for the first game of the season. The Cougars open at home with William & Mary and Oklahoma State on September 4th, and 7th.  Be sure to check out the Cougs this season, they take n SUU, Utah State, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico, TCU, and Wyoming at home!   

Stay tuned to the blog to see what the BYU soccer team is up to this summer!  

IT'S SOCCER CAMP TIME

It is time for soccer camp!  It is probably one of my favorite times of the year!  Tomorrow is the first of six weeks of camps that go throughout the summer.  Camps range in all ages and skill levels, from our Mini Cub camps, ages 5-7, to our Cub Camps, ages 8-12, and our overnight Academy, ages 12-18.  They teach them dribbling, shooting, passing and heading.  The summer is full of soccer, popsicles, soccer, video, soccer, and maybe a little more soccer.  

The team looks forward to working camps in the summer.  It gives them a chance to coach soccer, and I know they look forward to the popsicle breaks just as much as the campers do.  They do a great job, and they love hanging out all day playing soccer, there is not a better summer job out there.  

If you haven't signed up for camp, there are some openings, go to:   http://ce.byu.edu/cw/sportscamps/s_academy.cfm

Look forward to seeing everyone at camp!