Season opener on the road at UC Irvine

PROVO, Utah - The BYU women's soccer team opens its 2012 season on the road against UC Irvine this Friday, August 17. The event is the season opener for both teams. 

BYU has played the Anteaters just twice in the program's history. The last time the two teams met was back in 1997 at UC Irvine with the Cougars coming away with a 3-2 victory. 

The Cougar squad returns seven starters in 2011 All-American and Hermann Trophy Candidate Lindsi Lisonbee Cutshall, Scholar All-American Carlee Payne Holmoe, seniors Jessica Ringwood, Ashley Bazzarone & Dana Oldroyd Cusick, and juniors Rachel Manning & Niki Fernandes. 

BYU was chosen fourth in this season's West Coast Conference Preseason Poll with Cutshall and Holmoe included on the All-WCC Preseason Poll.

The Anteaters are looking to win their third-straight season opener with a win in 2011 over UT-San Antonio and in 2010 against Idaho. UC Irvine was chosen to finish second in this year's Big West Big West Preseason Poll after finishing first in 2011 and 2010 in the regular season. Heading into this season UC Irvine lost an overall six starters, including three of the team's best defenders which gave up just six goals in eight league games last season. Junior Natalia Ledezma is going to be the top returnee for the Anteaters with more than five goals last season.

Live stats for the game are available through the UC Irvine women's soccer schedule page. 

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