No. 14 Cougars take on Southern Utah in home opener

PROVO, Utah – The No. 14 BYU women's soccer team hosts Southern Utah on Friday, Aug. 30, at 8 p.m. MDT in the 2019 home opener.

BYU vs. Southern Utah Game Notes

BYU (2-0-0, 0-0 WCC) vs. Southern Utah (0-1-0, 0-0-0 Big Sky)

• Friday, Aug. 30, at 8 p.m. MDT, at South Field
• Video: WCC Network
• Radio: BYU Sports Network/BYU Cougars App/107.9 FM and ESPN 960 AM/ESPN 960 AM App
• Radio Talent: Greg Wrubell (play-by-play) and Avery Walker (analyst)

IN THE RANKINGS. BYU cracked the Top 25 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, earning the No. 14 spot and is the No. 1 team in the West Region Rankings. The last time the Cougars were nationally ranked by United Soccer Coaches was in the 2018 final regular season rankings, claiming the No. 24 spot. In Top Drawer Soccer's poll, BYU moved up to No. 14 as well.

LAST TIME ON THE FIELD. The Cougars rallied late at Mississippi State as Mikayla Colohan scored on a free kick to lift BYU to a 2-1 victory. Elise Flake scored the first goal of the game in the 21st minute, but the Bulldogs were awarded a penalty kick in the 65th minute to even the game at 1-all. The Cougars outshot Mississippi State 20-9.

THE COLOHAN SHOW. Junior midfielder Colohan scored the game-winners in both contests of opening weekend. At Alabama, she scored the lone goal of the match in the ninth minute. Against Mississippi State, her late goal off of a set piece was enough to keep BYU undefeated. The Kaysville, Utah native was named West Coast Conference Player of the Week for her performances on the road.

WCC CO-FAVORITES. The WCC announced BYU and Santa Clara as co-favorites to win the crown in 2019. Both teams garnered five first-place votes for a total of 77 points. In 2018, the Cougars edged the Broncos at South Field to claim the title for the sixth time since joining the conference in 2011.

THE THUNDERBIRDS. Under the direction of third year head coach Fred Thompson, Southern Utah is looking to improve on a 2-15-1 overall record in 2018. The Thunderbirds tied Utah State 0-0 in exhibition play before falling 4-0 to CSUN in the first regular season game of the season.

COUGARS VS. THUNDERBIRDS. BYU leads the series with Southern Utah 2-0. The Cougars' most recent win came in 2009, earning a 3-2 victory at South Field.