Cougars open WCC play at 10-1 Gonzaga this week

SPOKANE, Wash. — BYU women's soccer will open up conference play this week and travel to Spokane, Washington to face No. 16 Gonzaga on Saturday, Oct. 2 at Luger Field.

Saturday’s matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. PDT on the WCC Network. The game will also be carried live on the BYU Sports Network — BYU Radio 107.9 FM/BYU Cougars App.

IN THE RANKINGS. BYU received 53 votes in this week’s NCAA DI women's soccer poll, but was not included in the Top 25 rankings. Overall, six new teams who were previously unranked are now in the Top 25.

LAST TIME ON THE FIELD. On Saturday, Sept. 16, the Cougars fell 2-1 in overtime to Utah State. It was BYU’s first loss to Utah State in program history. The Cougars fired 30 shots in the game, compared with Utah State’s six. Mikayla Colohan led with 12 shots, five on target. Cameron Tucker followed with five shots.

BYU (5-3-1, 0-0-0 WCC) vs No. 16 GONZAGA (10-1-0, 0-0-0 WCC)

• Saturday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. PDT at Luger Field
• Streaming: WCC Network
• Radio: BYU Sports Network/BYU Cougars App/107.9 FM
• Radio play-by-play: Greg Wrubell

THE BULLDOGS. The Bulldogs are off to their best start to a season in program history at 10-1-0, and have shut out eight opponents. Gonzaga is currently ranked at an all-time program high of No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. Their only loss of the season came to Purdue. The Zags held possession for 51 percent of that match, but lost 2-1. Gonzaga’s freshman forward Kelsey Oyler is the newest WCC Offensive Player of the week after her game-winning goal in the 65th minute to win 1-0 over University of Nebraska Omaha on Saturday, Sept. 25.

COUGARS VS. BULLDOGS. Overall, the Cougars and Bulldogs have met 13 times and BYU has never lost. Nine times out of 13, the Bulldogs have gone scoreless against the Cougars. Last season’s matchup between the two teams resulted in a 4-0 BYU victory with goals from Colohan, Jamie Shepherd, Tucker and Mikaylie Moore. The largest margin of victory took place in 2016 when the Cougars defeated the Zags 6-0 on South Field.

ATTENDANCE. In accordance with federal, state, and local guidelines, and to provide a safe environment for student-athletes, coaches, staff, and spectators, Gonzaga University Athletics has instituted the following policy related to fan attendance for all ticketed athletic events:

• Fans ages 12 and older are required to provide proof of vaccination, including a CDC-issued Vaccination Record Card (or photo of the card) to enter ticketed Athletic events.
• Fans ages 12 and older who cannot provide proof of vaccination may present proof of negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours instead of proof of vaccination.
• Fans ages 11 and under do not need to provide proof of negative COVID-19 test.
• Fans over the age of 5, regardless of vaccination status, must wear face mask coverings over their nose and mouth while inside the venue.