BYU picked to win Big 12 in its inaugural year in the conference

IRVING, Texas — In its inaugural season as a member of the Big 12, BYU women’s soccer was picked to finish first in the conference, as voted on by the league’s 14 coaches.

The Cougars received six first place votes and a total of 156. TCU came in at second with three first place votes and 155 total votes. Texas gathered the remaining five first place votes, with 152 total votes to come in third in the conference. West Virginia and Texas Tech rounded out the top five teams in the preseason poll with 132 votes and 117 votes, respectively.

View the full Big 12 press release at the conference's website.

Coming off their 2022 winning season (11-3-7), the Cougars are gearing up for another memorable year. BYU ended its final season in the West Coast Conference unbeaten in conference play, going 6-0-3. The Cougars finished their 2022 season ranked No. 14 and made a run to the NCAA Tournament, falling to UNC 2-3 in the Sweet 16.

The Cougars welcome four new freshmen after losing one senior last season: Tylie Pratt, Halle Dixon, Ella Rustand and Ellie Ford.

BYU also welcomes two transfers in goalkeeper Lynette Hernaez and forward Ellie Walbruch. 

Hernaez, a freshman transfer from Washington State, just returned home from serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Salt Lake City South, Utah Mission. 

She is joined by seven other BYU players returning to action after their 18-month missions: Haven Empey, Lytiana Akinaka, Josie Shepherd, Addie Gardner, Caroline Stringfellow, Jacey Wood and Kelsey Hoopes.

Seniors Brecken Mozingo, Jamie Shepherd and Laveni Vaka were named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, the league announced on Wednesday. 

The Cougars will take the pitch for an exhibition game in New Brunswick, New Jersey against Rutgers on Thursday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. ET. BYU’s Big 12 schedule will begin at home against TCU on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.