BYU soccer players celebrate after winning the College Cup semifinal match against Santa Clara at Stevens Stadium in Santa Clara, Cali., on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021.(Courtesy BYU Photos)

BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood celebrates after the 4-1 Cougar win over South Carolina in the NCAA quarterfinal match at South Field in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (Courtesy BYU Photo)

Nobody has to tell the BYU women’s soccer team about who isn’t here anymore.

The Cougars are well aware that All-Americans Mikayla Colohan and Cameron Tucker are playing professional soccer. They know that gritty goalkeeper Cassidy Smith has moved on from a team that reached the NCAA Finals last December before falling to Florida State in a shootout.

They also know that despite the personnel losses, the high expectations won’t go away. Earlier this month the Cougars were picked to win the West Coast Conference, which would be their ninth title since 2012, and earned a No. 3 ranking in the first college soccer poll of 2022.

Living up to last year?

BYU wants to do one better.

“We want to win a national championship,” junior defender Laveni Vaka said. “We know we could make it that far because that’s what we did last year. And this year, it’s about getting past that, being able to actually win the national championship.”

Where were we?

The Cougars defeated New Mexico, Alabama, Virginia and South Carolina to earn their first trip to the College Cup. BYU avenged a loss to Santa Clara by beating the Broncos in a classic semifinal shootout to reach the national title match. Not even a heartbreaking loss to Florida State in the final could dampen the enthusiasm of a magical season.

Colohan and Tucker, who combined for 96 goals in their career, earned numerous postseason honors in leading the Cougars to their most successful season ever.

Coming back

While the departures of Colohan, Tucker and Smith are significant, BYU has a strong group of returners to mix with a talented freshmen class that enrolled early and helped the Cougars to an undefeated spring record (10-0).

“I think we have a lot of potential to be a really good goal scoring team,” head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. “I really think the sky is the limit with this team. We added eight new girls and seven of them were able to play ten spring games. They’re familiar with what we’re trying to do, they’re familiar with our system, which is a bit unique, and they had to learn that in the spring. Now we’re just trying to fine-tune things and figure out who we are.”

Junior Jamie Shepherd (1 goal, 3 assists) has moved from holding mid to attacking mid, filling the position played so well by Colohan.

“I played attacking mid growing up,” Shepherd said. “I was able to step into the holding mid position my freshman year. I played behind Kayla and loved it those three years. I’m excited to take that new role and fill that new position.”

Also returning to boost the offense are juniors Bella Folino (9 goals last season), Ellie Maughan (4 goals, 2 assists), Rachel McCarthy (4 goals, 5 assists), Brecken Mozingo (7 goals, 9 assists), Kendell Petersen (4 assists) and Olivia Wade (1 goal, 5 assists), who all have significant experience on the pitch.

“I think we have a bunch of different threats,” Shepherd said. “We’re dangerous everywhere on the field. We’ve got a lot of speed coming up the sideline. I think we’re very diverse and can score from all over. That’s what will make us special this year is we won’t have to rely on one of two girls. I think goals will be coming from all over the field.”

Newcomers Ruby Hladek and Sierra Pennock could also earn playing time as offensive threats.

On defense, senior Natalie Wells (co-captain along with Shepherd) returns along with Vaka to bolster the Cougars pressure approach. Freshman Izzi Stratton, at 5-foot-11, gives BYU size and skill on the back line.

Sophomore Savanna Mason steps into the starting goalkeeper spot and will be backed by freshman Taygan Sill.

“I think we’re just trying to connect a little bit more and build more chemistry with each other,” Vaka said. “We have a lot of determination and resilience. We’ve been talking about being second to none. We know we’ll be compared constantly to last season, but we’re a different team. We’re going to develop our own identity. We going on our own journal and we’re trying to figure out who we are.”

Being tested

The Cougars began the 2022 season last Saturday with a 2-0 exhibition road loss to No. 10 North Carolina, so the work continues and a difficult schedule will keep BYU on its toes.

The Cougars open at home on August 29 against Colorado, followed by matches with Alabama, No. 8 Arkansas and Utah before beginning WCC play against Saint Mary’s Oct. 1. A critical matchup with No. 5 Santa Clara at South Field on Oct. 29 will be a good one, too.

“The schedule is good and will challenge us for sure,” Rockwood said. “Playing North Carolina was really good for us to kind of see where we are. We always try to play a competitive schedule and I think this group is ready for it.”

BYU Women’s Soccer

Five Things to Watch

She’s the boss

Jennifer Rockwood begins her 33rd year as the head coach of BYU women’s soccer, her 27th season since the Cougars elevated from club to Division I. If anybody can get the team to live up to expectations, it’s Rockwood.

Finding the back of the net

The Cougars had two alpha scorers last season in Mikayla Colohan and Cameron Tucker and scored 77 goals overall. Who will be the go-to scorer in 2022? Will it be speedy Rachel McCarthy, left-footed powerhouse Brecken Mozingo or underrated Bella Folino?

Under pressure

BYU’s offense can often be a direct result of ball pressure, forcing opponents into frequent mistakes. An athletic defense should be able to keep this effect going this season.

Between the pipes

Cassidy Smith overcame a myriad of injuries to play her best as a senior, especially during the Cougars NCAA Tournament run. Her replacement, Savanna Mason, played in nine matches last season and will be counted on to take a big step forward in 2022.

Catching that magic

BYU lost in overtime to Utah State at home on Sept. 18, the low point of the season. The Cougars ran off 13 wins in 14 matches (the only loss was on the road to defending national champion Santa Clara) to reach the championship game. Can this team find some momentum through a difficult schedule?