BYU Gets Invite To 48-Team NCAA Soccer Championships, Hosts California Wednesday In First Round Action

Newly crowned MWC Championships, and it's off to the 1999 NCAA Championships for a third straight year for the Cougars. BYU hosts one of 16 first round games, Wednesday, at 6 p.m., against California (13-6-1).

Ticket Prices For First Round NCAA Championships

Prices for the BYU vs California women's soccer game on Wednesday, November 10 at 6 p.m., are $7 for general admission, and $5 for BYU students and staff, senior citizens and children under 12.

BYU's NCAA History

• This will be the Cougars third consecutive visit to the NCAA Women's Soccer Championships.

• In 1997, BYU made its first appearance losing 1-0 in the first round to Santa Clara in Santa Clara.

• Last year was the Cougars best showing finishing in the "Sweet Sixteen." They got there after a 6-1 victory against Stanford in Provo, and a 2-0 shutout over UCLA in Los Angeles. In the round of 16, BYU once again met Santa Clara on their home field with the Broncos picking up a 3-0 win to end the Cougars run at the title.

•BYU's overall record in the NCAA

Year Team Record NCAA

1997 19-4 0-1

1998 21-4 2-1

Cougars In This Week's Polls

• In Soccer Times Poll - 20th

• Ranked 23rd by the NSCAA

Returning Starters To Watch

• 20 Maren Hendershot - F, Sr (14G, 8A, 36PTS, 74SH)

• 14 Karen Wunderli- MF, Sr (3G,10A, 16PTS, 47SH)

• 15 Kim Lowe - MF, Jr (10G, 9A, 29PTS, 54SH)

• 12 Sara Reading - MF, Jr (17G, 5A, 39PTS, 99SH)

• 4 Natalyn Lewis - MF, Jr (4G, 5A, 13PTS, 46SH)

• 11 Sarah Higham - MF, So (8G, 9A, 25PTS, 48SH)

• 00 Jennifer Waldron - GK, So (17 GA, .86Average in Goals Allowed)

Newcomers To Watch

• 5 Rachelle Dixon - 5-6 MF/F, Fr (2G, 2A, 6PTS, 16SH)

• 18 Jeni Willardson - 5-9 MF/F, Fr (7G, 4A, 18PTS, 35SH)

Cougar Season Highs To Date

• Most goals in a game (team) - eight vs Northwestern on 9/4

• Most shots in game (team) - 42 vs University of Wyoming on 11/3

• Most corner kicks in a game (team) - 12 vs San Diego State 10/16

• Most assists in game (team) - eight vs Cal Poly on 9/11

• Most goals in a game (individual- Sara Reading) - three vs University of New Mexico on 10/8

Cougar '99 Quickie Stats After 23 Games

• Averaging 25.3 shots on goal per game

• Averaging 3.2 goals per game

• Average 3.0 assists per game

• Average 9.48 points per game

1999 MWC Championship Recap - BYU Is Second Seed

• The Cougars made it to the championship of the first ever MWC Women's Soccer Championships after wins over Wyoming 1-0 and Utah 4-3.

• In the title game BYU met San Diego State where the two played to a 1-1 tie in regulation. Then in sudden death overtime, the Cougars' Kim Lowe gave BYU the 2-1 win and the championship.

• A new team and school record was set by the Cougars in the quarterfinal game against Wyoming with 42 shots.

BYU vs California Notes - 1999 NCAA Champs, First Round

California is the Cougars first round opponent. The Golden Bears come into South Field with a 13-6-1, 6-3-0 record and a fifth-place finish in the Pac-10. Freshman forward Laura Schott leads Cal in scoring with 11 goals and eight assists for 30 points. Schott also has three game-winning goals. The Golden Bears are averaging 15.1 shots on goal and 2.1 goals. On the season, Cal has had 90 corner kicks compared with 52 for opponents. On the road, they've compiled a 6-2-1 record this year.

California History in the NCAA Championships

This will be the eight trip to the NCAA's for California. In last year's championships they lost 2-1 to Pacific at Pacific in the first round. They've won five times in the 80's and their best finishes were in 1987 and 1988 tying for third place both times.

BYU Series VS California

The series: 1-0 in favor of the Cougars. These two teams met during the 1998 season with BYU picking up the 4-3 victory in Berkeley.

Coach Jennifer Rockwood Quotes

(On the Cougars) We had an outstanding performance last weekend, our team is peaking just at the right time. We pulled everything together and I expect to carry that through into Wednesday's game.

(On California) We played them last year on their home field and we were fortunate to pull out a 4-3 win. They match up very well with us and have had a great year and are a well coached team. I anticipate a very good game, and I think our girls are ready to play great soccer and are excited to play in the NCAA's and at home.

BYU Media Information

At home, the Cougars practice daily from 2:15 to 5 p.m. Player and/or coach Rockwood interviews may be done in advance by contacting Norma Collett at 801-378-4908 or via e-mail at norma_collett@byu.edu

There are no player interviews 24 hours prior to games. The Cougars practice at Haws Field, just west of the Smith Fieldhouse.

Up Next For The Cougars

If BYU defeats California in the first round, their next opponent would be Santa Clara, the number one team in the country. That game would be on Saturday, November 13 in Santa Clara at 1 p.m., PT.