I finally watched the second half. I had been out of the country and was only getting a good internet signal for the first half of that game. I did see the disappointing score so I knew the outcome when I finally watched the second half.
I saw that Chris Henderson gave an xG for that game of BYU 2.42 to Santa Clara 1.26. That seemed surprising to me because the game seemed so equal. I then did my own xG during the game and came up with BYU 2.44 to Santa Clara 2.12.
I have to give the offense a B- that game because they couldn't score. They did create some decent chances, and getting 2+ xG against a tournament-worthy and defensive team like Santa Clara is a decent effort. I give the same grade B- to the defense, because they only gave up 1 and when you are playing another good team a shutout is not a guarantee.
On the notable late offside call, I think technically it was the right call. Vance had the great header flick on off the initial throw in, and I wish she would have been just a little mentally sharper to get back onside instead of floating back and watching the action. There was just enough of a moment when Fryer and Pratt were controlling it where she could have gotten back onside on time if she would have been mentally sharper to think about that. Vance is a great talent but that is an example of where she could be mentally stronger. Sometimes she gets too into revenge or payback for a foul instead of just focusing on winning plays for the team.
Now switchover to roster management - gotta get down to 28 for next season.
Losing 3 players (2 seniors and Akinaka walked with the seniors on senior night) and having at least 7 in the new signing class, the math ended up that 9 players from this current team would need to transfer or be cut or go on missions (with no guarantee of a spot when they return). Kyleigh Hastings and Tianna Hunsaker put the signing class up to 9. They are peculiar because they both had signing ceremonies at their respective high schools (signing with BYU) but BYU didn't announce them with the class. Huh, what could that mean?
Bailey leaving is a surprise. Jacey Wood leaving is no surprise - I am glad she found a good landing spot at UVU. I don't even know Jacey's game well, but I have the assumption that anyone healthy on this year's roster who didn't see the field much or at all is very likely going to be cut due to sheer numbers required.
My opinion on my evaluations (not what I am predicting Rockwood will do):
Obvious keeps (17) - Stratton RM, Jorgensen RM, Walbruch (coming off injury), Fryer, Vance, Krommenhoek, Frischknecht, Kesler, Gardner, Pennock, Freeman, Hamberlin, Summers, Pratt, Sine, Hernaez, one other GK. Sine gets in her on recruiting pedigree, not on what she showed on the field in her few minutes: she looked at best average and sometimes physically overmatched.
Very Likely cuts (8) - one GK (don't know which one), Ford, Curry, Shepherd, Nestman, Kotter. I don't know these players well, but them getting almost no time this season was a sign that they are the ones to get cut. I think Wood would be in this group, but she has already made it official signing with UVU. I don't think Bailey was a cut, but now if she has made it official of moving on then can put her in the group of players who are obviously gone.
not sure, but numbers say only a few of these will make it: (Dixon, Labrum, Neff, Stringfellow, Rustand). Depending on missions or other transfers or what happens to Hastings and Hunsaker, can keep 2 to 4 of this group. I would take Labrum and Stringfellow, then Dixon, then Neff, then Rustand). Although coach Rockwood liked Rustand, I rated her lower than what Rockwood apparently did.
Perhaps the players to be cut already have been informed by the coaches? I guess so. Maybe some have been told that they are on a waitlist depending on if anyone else in the obvious keeps decides to transfer or if some other star asks to transfer to BYU.