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The BYU women's soccer team celebrates a 5-0 victory against Oklahoma State in a Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal match in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Athletics

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BYU's Ellie Walbruch celebrates after scoring a goal in the Blue-White Game at South Field on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Abby Shelton, BYU Photo

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The BYU student section prepares for the start of a women's college soccer match with Utah at South Field on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU's MacKenzee Vance (44) celebrates scoring a goal against Iowa State in a Big 12 women's soccer match at South Field on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU's Mika Krommenhoek (18) battles for the ball with Utah's Katie Callaway during a women's college soccer match at South Field on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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If the BYU women’s soccer team follows its latest trend, 2025 will be a big year.

The Cougars went to the NCAA Championship final in 2021 and advanced to the Final Four in 2023. Last season was a rebuilding project for BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood and her staff and the process looks to be right on schedule.

The bulk of the Cougars’ scoring and defense returns in 2025 and an influx of freshman talent has bolstered the roster as well.

“I think our culture is in a really great spot, good vibes, you know?” Rockwood said. “Every team is looking for that. Right for the beginning of the season we’ve got some great things going. I think what is noticeable right now is our level of experience and composure. That’s something that we struggled with last year. Having all of these girls return and having played a full competitive season, you can tell the maturity of our team right now. I’ve been really pleased with this group.”

Where were we?

Rockwood had one her youngest teams in 2024 and the Cougars struggled with consistency on both ends of the pitch. BYU suffered nonconference losses in-state rivals Utah Valley (2-0) and Utah State (2-1). Still, the Cougars ended the Big 12 schedule with a 6-2-3 record, good enough for fourth place. BYU routed Oklahoma State 5-0 to open the Big 12 Tournament but fell 2-1 to regular-season conference champion TCU in the semifinals.

The Cougars earned the opportunity to host a first-round NCAA Tournament match but dropped a 1-0 decision to former West Coast Conference nemesis Santa Clara to finish 9-7-5.

Sophomore defender Avery Frischknecht and junior forward Allie Fryer were both named first team All-Big 12 with freshman midfielder Mika Krommenhoek and junior midfielder Mackenzee Vance earning second team honors. Krommenhoek and midfielder Lucy Kesler made the league’s All-Freshman team as well.

Welcome back

The Cougars had only two seniors in 2024 and with virtually every contributor returning expectations were exceedingly high. However, roster limits due to the expected House settlement led to some painful cuts. Then there was the sudden retirement of returning goalkeeper Lynette Hernaez Bryant before fall camp and an injury to Fryer, which required surgery that would keep the high-scoring forward off the pitch for the season.

Junior forward Ellie Walbruch has recovered nicely from an injury that kept her out the entire 2024 season. As a sophomore, Walbruch scored 11 goals and she’s looked strong so far.

Kesler is a wizard at keeping the BYU offense running smoothly in the midfield and Krommenhoek, another slick midfielder, is a budding star. Fryer’s 11 goals will be missed, but Walbruch and Vance (seven goals) will still keep the defense honest.

BYU will also benefit with the return of a pair of returned missionaries in the back line in 6-foot junior Izzi Stratton, who started 46 matches in her career, along with sophomore Camryn Jorgensen.

New blood

Rockwood has brought in talented freshmen group that is pushing hard for more playing time.

“I love our freshman class,” she said. “Seven of them were with us in January, so they got to train and they got a trip to New Zealand with us. I think that our leadership has has done a great job of welcoming in those freshmen and having them be a part of everything that we’re doing.”

Freshman Sophie Sivulich scored twice in BYU’s 4-1 exhibition victory against Southern Utah and Afton Perry, Mia Lopez and Cassidy Drago are going to make an immediate impact as well.

Ready to go

There will be some difficult tests in the non-conference slate, opening with road match at No. 24 Minnesota and Cal Poly, followed by home dates against perennial power UCLA, Auburn and Arkansas. The Cougars get revenge opportunities in Provo against both Utah State and Utah Valley.

BYU was picked to finish third in the Big 12 behind TCU and Texas Tech. The Cougars don’t play either of those programs in the regular season but could face either or both in the league tournament.

Meanwhile, Rockwood’s system of high pressure and plenty of attacking should bear fruit this season.

“I think we’re very possession oriented,” Walbruch said. “We’ve been really working on building out of the back and winning the ball off our press and transitioning. So I think that’s a really big focus, winning it off our press. That’s when we’re dangerous.”

BYU women’s soccer

Five things to watch in 2025

1. Battle tested

Even with some roster changes the Cougars will have plenty of experience on the pitch. A spring humanitarian trip to New Zealand was crucial in building team chemistry.

2. Between the pipes

With the departure of Lynette Hernaez Bryant, the unexpected battle at goalkeeper is between sophomore Paiton Collins and sophomore Sarah Mathis. Both youngsters earned some playing time during the spring season.

3. Long-term stability

Heading into her 31st season at the helm, Jennifer Rockwood knows how to teach her system and BYU is fortunate to have one of the best in the business.

4. Healthy and wise

The return of Ellie Walbruch from injury not only gives the Cougars the offensive firepower of her powerful right leg but the leadership to take the program into a deep NCAA Tournament run.

5. No place like home

Last year BYU was 6-2-2 at home, an enviable record in most places. But the Cougars can do better. Cougar Nation, with an average of 3,396 strong (second in the country in 2024) demands it.