Boise State Athletics
Broncos Open Regular Season at Utah
8/20/2021 11:31:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Boise State (0-0-0) vs. Utah (1-0-0)
Sunday, Aug. 22 | 3 p.m. MT
Salt Lake City, Utah | Ute Field
Live Stream: Pac-12 Network | Live Stats
UP NOW: Boise State kicks off its regular season schedule this weekend as it travels for a bout against Pac-12 Utah in Salt Lake City.
ABOUT UTAH: The Utes are on the heels of an up and down season last spring. Though their record of 4-9-3 lacks luster, they did produce a handful of impressive results, including wins against No. 14 USC and No. 17 Arizona State. Head coach Hideki Nakada is entering his first season at the helm of a Division-I program after having spent time coaching at Stanford. Utah opened its season Thursday evening with a 1-0 win over Portland at home.
FOLLOW THE ACTION: Want to supplement your game experience? Live video and stats are available on your mobile device. Find the links to the video stream and live stats by going to the team schedule page on BroncoSports.com. Keep up with Bronco Soccer by following the team on Twitter (@BroncoSportsSOC), Facebook (@bsu.wsoc) and Instagram (boisestatesoccer). Also, be sure to download the brand-new Bronco Sports App for even more content from Boise State Athletics, including videos, schedules, stats, giveaways and more!
MW PRESEASON COACHES POLL: The Broncos were picked to place third when the MW Preseason Coaches' Poll was announced last week. Boise State did not receive a first-place vote, but did tally 93 points.
New Mexico topped the poll after totaling 118 points, and San Diego State was close behind with 111. The Lobos collected nine first-place votes while the Aztecs claimed the remaining three.
BACK FOR THE BRONCOS: Boise State returns 22 letterwinners from last season's squad that finished 5-4-1, including all of its goal scorers and both starting keepers.
A slew of defensive talent returns to the Blue and Orange, including names like reigning MW Defensive Player of the Year Macie Nelson, Payton McBride, and Abby Bivens. Last season, McBride (848) and Bivens (814) led the Broncos in minutes played.
The midfield will have its share of returning players as well with Morgan Stone, Ana Campanella and Morgan Miles back in the fold. The trio each ranked in the top-five in shot percentage for the Broncos a season ago.
In attack the Broncos will enjoy the return of players like two-time All-MW first teamer Aubree Chatterton, All-MW Newcomer Team member Mariah Albin, and Keile Hansen. Chatterton and Albin led the team in points last season, earning four apiece.
The Broncos have two great options at goalkeeper as both Genevieve Crenshaw and Sydney Smith are back. In five starts last season Smith racked up 14 saves and maintained a goals against average of 1.05. Crenshaw started the other five matches and also saved 14 shots while conceding a goals against average of only 0.44.
