Q&A with BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood

Coming off a 2-0 win over UC Santa Barbara yesterday, the BYU women’s soccer team is getting ready to play No. 1 Stanford in the second round of the NCAA Women’s College Cup. The match is tomorrow at 1 p.m., and will be BYU’s first-ever game against a top-ranked team. The Cougars hosted No. 2 Florida in 2003 and lost 3-2 in overtime.

I caught up with BYU soccer coach Jennifer Rockwood for some comments about the team.

Question: Your team was ranked nationally all year long, yet much of the media didn’t start paying attention until last week’s chippy game with New Mexico. What are your thoughts about that situation?

Answer: I do think what happened last week was unfortunate, and it has been a bit of a distraction for us as we have had a great season. We’re trying to put it behind us, but obviously it’s something that has lasted in the media for several days. Our focus, though, isn’t on the outside stuff, but on the NCAA tournament and our game tomorrow afternoon.

Question: Despite its top-10 national ranking, your team was placed in what is potentially the most difficult bracket. How do you feel about the draw and about BYU’s chances tomorrow?

Answer: It is a tough draw, but I think everybody involved in the NCAA tournament knows that you’re going to face a quality opponent that has had a lot of success. … We’re really excited because there aren’t a lot of opportunities where you get to play against the No. 1 team in the country. Stanford is such a dynamic team. They’ve dominated most of their opponents this year, so we’ll have our hands full. We’ve prepared well and we’re going to go in there and try to play our game, which is to work through the attack and play solid defense, and we’ll see if the ball bounces our way tomorrow.

Question:: Do you think your team will be intimidated playing against the top team in the country?

Answer: I think it will be an exciting game. Hopefully we can put some pressure on Stanford. They’re expected to win this game, so I think most of the pressure is on them already. We’ve been the target for most of the season as the team that’s expected to win, and this is one time where we’re the underdogs and the pressure is not on us. I think that could take away some of the edge from the girls’ nerves and help them come out and play well. We still have high expectations, and we’re going to do our best and try to pull off an upset.

Question: With such a young team and so many players returning next year, how will playing in the NCAA tournament benefit the team going into next season?

Answer: Any sort of post-season play is always a great experience. The players can experience the pressure of playing one game where you have to win or go home. That’s what we’re facing now, along with the rest of the teams in the tournament, and I think it’s going to be a good thing for the younger players. They’ve played in some big games all year, and they’ve welcomed the pressure so far.