BYU's 2-0 win over Colorado shows how far this team has come from last year's team which lost to Colorado in the "snow bowl." The 2-0 score last night does not reflect how much BYU dominated the game.

Rachel Boaz showed why she is the starter and one of the best keepers in the country. She repeatedly attacked high balls in the box and snagged them out of the air before Colorado could get a head on them. She is fearless coming out of her goal and also going to ground. Her courage will put fear in opposing teams as they attack the box. She distributes the ball well particularly with her throws. Boaz could turn out to be one of the best keepers BYU has ever seen. Having Boaz in goal gives the BYU defense and midfield tons of confidence.

Steph Ringwood is developing into an amazing center back. She reads the game so well cutting off passes/attacks and is also good in the air. She and Taylor Campbell Isom are getting used to playing with and supporting each other. My only concern is that Ringwood and Campbell were not having one of them front the opposing forward on BYU corner kicks allowing the opposing forward to beat them to the ball and then putting BYU under pressure on a counter attack. If one of them would simply front the opposing forward, BYU would have kept Colorado under pressure in the offensive third of the field. Paige Hunt played the full 90 and appears to have her legs and fitness back after her mission. She is smart and fearless. My only question is why she played forward so much in the last 20 minutes exposing BYU to a few unnecessary counter attacks when BYU had the game in hand with a 2-0 lead. Avery Calton has improved over last year but I still believe Sarah Chambers is the better back. Sarah is much faster and doesn't give up the ball as much. Colorado really attempted to attack Calton in the first 20 minutes but Calton was able to withstand the attack. Perhaps it's a confidence thing and Chambers comes off the bench better than Calton.

Maddie Siddoway learned how to head the ball after the Arizona game and won several head balls both on defense and flicking them on on offense. She is strong and fast and just needs to learn how to connect better on her passes. Her composure is good for a freshman. If she continues to head the ball and connect better, she and Bizzy will be able to control the midfield even more than they do now both in the air and on the ground. Elena continues to amaze with top-quality goals in the attacking midfield position and her darting runs and quick switch of direction.

Nadia Gomes is turning into an amazing threat. It's too bad she didn't get more time last year and her development would be even further along. If Nadia gets in better shape and provides more high pressure and chase a few more balls, she will score many goals. Ashley Hatch is a marked woman this year and it will be difficult for her to fight through the increased attention she is receiving. I understand that her volley goal against Cal was amazing. Hopefully Hatch starts scoring goals in bunches. Murph needs to start scoring as well but even when she doesn't her speed and crossing comeback runs to collect the pass cause fits for opposing defenses. Maddie Lyons has learned how to play with her back to the goal and shield off the defender as she collects the ball and either turns and attacks, or combines. She is getting better at pressing forward once she beats the defense rather than cutting the ball back.

The coaches this year are doing a much better job than last year in getting the right players in the right positions at the right time.

If this team remains healthy, this team could be really good. To give some inexact comparisons, BYU beat Cal 2-0. Cal beat SDSU 2-0. SDSU beat UVU 6-0. UVU beat Utah State 1-0.

Finally, the BYU crowd last night was record breaking (nearly 6,000) and amazing. The Utah game should have even more fans. I understand that UVU also had a record crowd in its game with Utah State - approximately 2,500. These crowds show how far womens soccer has come.