Aleisha Cramer is BYU's team this season, and even coach Jennifer Rockwood acknowledges that now.

Whenever people wanted to discuss the nationally-recruited freshman last year, Rockwood would oblige for a bit but would then deflect praise to the seniors. After all, it was their efforts that helped pave the way for Cramer to even consider BYU over Santa Clara and North Carolina.

Those six seniors are gone, but don't feel sorry for the Cougars, who are ranked No. 13 in the preseason — Rockwood's club is loaded.

"We have some holes to fill from last year, but we feel we have the talent to do that," said Rockwood.

BYU more than has the talent, and it all starts with Cramer.

Cramer sparkled as a freshman last year with seven goals and 13 assists. She was rewarded with a slew of postseason awards ranging from all-conference to all-American. What's frightening for BYU's foes, is that Cramer has improved greatly over the offseason.

"Aleisha is a much better player this year," said Rockwood. "She has taken her game to a whole other level."

When you're one of the up-and-coming stars on the national team, there really is no offseason.

She captained the U.S. Women's National Team at the Algarve Cup in Portugal in March. Later that spring she was one of three collegians who helped the U-21 National Team capture the Nordic Cup in Sweden. In the title game, she notched two goals and two assists in the Americans' 6-1 win over Sweden.

"Her technical ability with the ball at her feet is nothing like we've ever seen," said Rockwood.

With Cramer returning, the central midfield position really isn't one that Rockwood needs to worry about. But what about those six voids?

The biggest concern for the coaching staff is at the back. Two of the six departing players were Staci Reynolds and Athelia Graham, four-year starters for the Cougars. Both were local products, so it's only fitting that Rockwood is expecting Utahns to replace them.

Lone Peak's Farrah Hofheins, Skyline's Annie Hoecherl, Bingham's Jennie Christianson and Bountiful's Rachelle Dixon are four players whom Rockwood expects big things from defensively this fall.

"We'd like to put a little more emphasis on defense this year, but we are an attacking team," said Rockwood. "We're not going to change that. We're going to continue to do the things that will work for us."

That might center around speed this year.

All around the field the Cougars are fast, but particularly up top.

Rockwood expects California freshman Kim Devine, who recently played with the U-19 National Team in Holland, and Lydia Ojuka, a sophomore from Tucson, Ariz., to have huge seasons offensively for BYU.

With returning starter Jeni Willardson and red-shirt freshman Megan Dickerson at Rockwood's disposal as well, BYU should be a very flashy team.

The Cougars will need to be speedy and possess goal-scoring savvy with the schedule they'll face. Rockwood has scheduled No. 3 Portland, No. 5 Nebraska, No. 7 Washington and No. 9 Virginia, and they'll all be on the road.

"Everyone knows to get better you have to play better teams," said Rockwood.

View Comments

BYU hopes, and expects, to face more ranked foes once the NCAA Tournament rolls around. Last year, the Cougars advanced to the Sweet 16, before losing at home to Santa Clara, the defending champs.

It was a narrow loss, but one that Rockwood hopes is fresh in the minds of those returning players.

The Cougars open the season on Aug. 31 at home against No. 19 USC.


E-mail: jedward@desnews.com

Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.