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Speaker 2: We were here.
Speaker 1: Gonna get into a little insider report, gonna get in
how you can not only get inside your car to
the honest, hard work and costs transparent mechanic, but also
inside this BYU women's soccer team.
Speaker 2: That's right, we're gonna discuss it.
Speaker 1: They're going to the championship, the Big twelve Championship. They've
done it twice in the last three seasons now, so
will they be able to get it done? I think
they will. We're gonna discuss it with a BYU Brad.
She's on the line right now. She's a transfer. Love
the transfers when they come in to BYU because they
make a big time impact in this particular player she
definitely has.
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Eight zero one six nine two three seven five seven
that's eight zero, one, six, nine, two, three, seven five
seven Little at seven forty eight East State Road in
American four. Okay, without further ado, let's get out to
the ESPN the Fan hot Line and welcome in one
of the stars of this BYU women's soccer team. We
got Mackenzie Vans online. Mac, how we doing today?
Speaker 3: I'm very grateful to be here, so I'm excited.
Speaker 2: You should be.
Speaker 1: You guys are going to the Big twelve Championship a
second time in three seasons. Super happy for you guys.
How is this possible? You guys knocked off Baylor last night,
knocked off the number one seed two days before that,
and now you're in the championship.
Speaker 3: I know it's exciting, especially like all the hard work
that we have put on put in this season on
and off the field, like it's finally coming to light
and I think we're peaking at the right time. So
it's just it's a really really exciting moment for us.
Speaker 1: Please take me through you know the mindset of his team. Obviously,
you guys were number eight. You battled injuries this season
as everybody does up and down. But we know what
byuom in soccer is you guys are never an underdog.
And I think the world might have been shocked when
they said, oh, number eight seed upsets number one. Tc
was like, that's not upset to me. I mean, this
team's talented, bro Like, look at the pedal of this team.
There's no upset when it comes to byum in soccer,
it's always dubs.
Speaker 3: Oh absolutely. And the funny thing is, like we knew,
like we're not an eight seed obviously, just as much
as Kansas probably is in a seventh seed and we're
playing them in the final. But you know, our biggest
thing coming into the match, especially against TCU and especially
against Baylor, was having that underdog mentality, was saying, we
have nothing to lose, we have everything to gain from
that situation. And if we just go in with that
defensive mentality, you know, hunting every every ball, first to
the ball first and second to the ball, and then
having that attacking mindset, getting shots off, taking on players,
being aggressive in the attacking third. And we did exactly that.
We followed our game plan, and you know it came
with a great result.
Speaker 1: If you don't mind give me a little insight, what
was the game plan against Baylor? But mind you to
give fans context. You guys played them earlier, had lead,
know it slipped away, but you got your get back.
Speaker 3: Yeah. No, that again, defensive mentality, like that was our
biggest thing going into this game. Was like we knew
if we went in hard, especially those first ten fifteen minutes,
defensively making sure they don't get a shaw off, you know,
hunting on every single ball, doubling down on players first
and second balls out of the air. We knew that
if we could set the tone off defensively, then everything
else will come and flow. And that's exactly what happened.
So props to my team. They did an amazing job.
Our back line, Chelsea, everybody you know, stepped up big
and even players coming off the bench. Everybody fulfilled their
role to the max.
Speaker 1: You said her name, I was gonna bring her up next,
Chelsea Peterson. Please tell me a little bit more about Chelsea.
This was someone and we talked to Ellie a few
days ago, I mean looked like she was done with soccer.
And then obviously Peyton goes down with an injury. You
know now per Jeram Jordan that you know she's out
with the season with ACOL we wish Payton a speedy recovery,
and then next thing, you know, Chelsea steps in, has
to play the rest of the Utah game.
Speaker 2: TCU shuts out Baylor and I'm.
Speaker 1: Like, man, it's just you guys got depth right there
in that goal.
Speaker 3: Yeah, And I'm sure you've heard Chelsea's story, like it's
an insane story. It's an awesome story. And the fact
that she's been able to come in and still set
the tone very high, you know, get that shut out
against Baylor, which is huge, even against TCU, came out
big time, really big saves. Like we couldn't be happier
with her, and I think, you know, one game after
another is just leading to her confidence. It's getting back
into you know, how she once played as a cool keeper.
You know she's doing out of the game for a while,
but it doesn't look like it. And it's just been
awesome to see her thrive in that role.
Speaker 1: What has made Elie Wallbrook so great in this Turn
and Run specifically, we know what she's capable of, but
Ellie's been on one back to back games of braces.
Speaker 3: One thing I can say about Ellie and I feed this,
I feed off of her for this is like her
just mentality to be a dog on the field, Like
every every single time, even before a game, she's coming
up to me and she's like, let's freaking goal, Like
let's be dogs, Like let's just get after it. And
like when somebody has that kind of personality, it feeds
off of everybody else. It gets everybody else hyped and going.
And like it shows when she plays like she's one
of the most dangerous players on her team when she
gets that ball at her feet, like good luck to
the opposing goalkeeper. You know. So it's just been awesome
to see your back on that field and really thriving.
And you know, you would never think she had been
through a major injury like in ACL.
Speaker 1: No, she wasn't. She was named All Big Twelve first Team.
That's an accomplishment as well. But you and yourself, you know,
let's not take away I know this is what players
would do. They'll talk about their team is rightfully so,
and but we got to talk about you two. You
battled some injuries this season, take us through the Utah goal,
and I believe you. I don't know if you had
an assist in the Baylor game, but you set up
someone in the eighteen yer box as well.
Speaker 3: Yeah, so that Utah goal, Like again, defense mentality feels
our offensive mentality. And I think that game we were
shutting Utah down and it was just giving us some
flow in the attacking third. And when I got the ball,
I saw it was a one bi one opportunity and
I just you know, went after it and it resulted
in that goal. And obviously I couldn't have done that
without my teammates. So all the prop to them.
Speaker 2: What is made your b YU experience?
Speaker 1: And I'll let you sound off on it whatever way
you feel, But what's made it so great? You at
UCLA could have stayed, could have gone anywhere else in
the country.
Speaker 2: Right.
Speaker 1: We know the nature of the trans reporter in I yal,
I'm and I'm not trying to get you in trouble.
Speaker 2: You know that, Mac, But you chose to talk to by.
Speaker 1: You're you're not a member of the faith, like, No,
I'm serious and I always am. So, you know, astounded
when players like you and people like yourself coming to
be you and you thrive in the culture and you.
Speaker 2: Fit in so well.
Speaker 3: Yeah, I think the biggest thing that kind of drove
me to Coda to BYU was honestly their faith, Like
everybody is extremely driven here, you know, they don't let
outside distractions get in the way of anything. And I
really wanted to put myself into an environment where I
could find the love of the sport again, fall back
in love with soccer, fall in love with you know,
just playing soccer again is really the biggest thing. And
you know, when you're surrounded by such great people with
such great morals, like it's hard to say no to
a culture like that. And so I knew the best
way to get one hundred percent of MAC was to
be put into an environment like that. And BYU has that,
So that was that was the big reason.
Speaker 2: Yeah, BYU is it is different.
Speaker 1: And it's one of I've heard one of the greatest
places you know on earth from people. And to see
that you've been able to thrive in and just remind people.
You know, Mac play to Ucla from twenty twenty to
twenty twenty three, playing in twenty games Italian two goals,
three or sis and eighteen shots, and you think of Ucla,
we know the pedigree that Ucla soccer has no secret
there at all.
Speaker 2: Mac, what do you want your soccer legacy.
Speaker 1: I guess as a whole as you finish up your
career byu to do, I know you got one more
game you plan on playing professionally?
Speaker 3: Uh yeah, I think you know. With my legacy, I
just want people to be them. Like if you're especially
when it comes to the technical side of the game,
if you're somebody who takes people on one b one,
have the confidence to go one be one at people
like I can't rave that enough. Like, don't shy away
from who you are as a player on and off
the field, especially on that field. Like when you get
those opportunities, go at them. If you make mistakes, guess
what failure. Failure is part of success, Like you have
to fail to succeed in life, and you just learn
from those mistakes and you just keep going at them
because eventually, one day you'll be sitting at a place
like I am, Like my teammates are going to the
Big twelve Championship because none of us are regretful for
anything that we've done on that field. We just give
it out all and you know the outcome is out.
Speaker 1: You gotta be able to work hard, and you know
when you work hard, obviously, you'll be blessing. You guys
have been blessed. I want to ask this. I know
you played basketball growing up? How did basketball I don't
think if I asked you this, how did basketball help
you with soccer?
Speaker 3: Honestly, this is funny because my problem with basketball was
I would foul out within the first you know, ten
to fifty minutes of that game. But no, honestly, playing
any other sport besides soccer growing up has been huge
and reflecting towards how I'm able to play in soccer.
Like I think, it just makes you a much more
valuable player, a much more athletic player. And basketball definitely
brought out the aggressiveness in me, and you know I
could translate that into soccer. I also think, you know,
quick feet moving, moving your feet around also helps a
lot when it comes to soccer. But yeah, I love
playing basketball growing up. It's fun, for sure.
Speaker 1: Do you have a favorite basketball player in the w NBA?
Is there something you keep eye on?
Speaker 3: Oh my gosh, I honestly don't watch.
Speaker 2: The That's okay.
Speaker 3: I'm more of a basketball fan. You know, I'm a
Curry fan. That man's awesome. So yeah, if I had
to lean towards A favorite basketball player would definitely be Curry.
Speaker 1: He's second to none, and that conditioning is crazy. I
wouldn't want to chase that man or you on the
pitch by any I'm not in condition like that. Those
days are behind me. I'm no longer in my young twenties.
I'm closer to thirty and I have a little one,
so hopefully she'll get me back in shape. Is she's
starting to walk now here with mackenzy Vans on esp.
Speaker 2: And the fan.
Speaker 1: I know. I always talk to Jin because she's come
to a few games, and I'm like, look in the
next year to him to start to need the programs
here in Utah. Gotta start pitching the pitch. I've told
Ellie as well, I look where do I need to
put her? Align her so you know she can be
a future player. Dad wasn't an athlete, but you know,
let's invest in the you know, the daughter. Me and
mom are like, hey, let's get her on the pitch
because we we're not those people. She's not very tall,
but I'm like, you, look, you don't have to be
tall in soccer. I'm about five six five, so it
wasn't blessed. Yeah, anyway, listen anyway, get back to you,
you said, I also know you're a huge food group. Okay,
so I need you to evaluate the food as you've
been down there in Texas.
Speaker 2: What's been the best so far?
Speaker 3: Honestly, We've been having this chain called flower Child. Have
you heard of it? I have not, Okay, it is phenomenal.
They have one in Salt Lake that I've been to
a couple of times, but that has been my favorite
meal so far.
Speaker 1: Here.
Speaker 3: You know, you get chicken or steak, and then you
can get a side of like broccoli or mac and
cheese or sweet potatoes, and that's honestly been really good.
I know. Today we have a really exciting adventure. We're
going to BUCkies. A lot of people haven't been to
BUCkies before, so everybody is craving that BUCkies right now,
so that will be fun.
Speaker 1: Look, I don't want to ruin anything for you, but
I'm amazing BUCkies.
Speaker 2: I love me some BUCkies.
Speaker 1: So I'll just let you experience that and then maybe
ketch up with you at a different point and let
you give me your vac I.
Speaker 2: Know my thoughts.
Speaker 3: Okay, I definitely I'll let you know.
Speaker 1: Definitely on Bucks k let's finish up. You can get
you out of here. On a couple of things, you
guys take on Kansas now, obviously you're familiar with them,
played them earlier, didn't go your way. I feel like
this is just a big twelve tournament revenge tour. You
just had a chance to get everybody. You go get
them tomorrow. Well, give us a scott and report on Kansas.
Speaker 3: Obviously, Kansas is a really talented team. They're a little
bit more direct. They have a little bit of a
sweeper style defensively, nothing we haven't seen before obviously, and again,
if we set that tone defensively and then just be
free and flowing in the attacking third and just doing
what we do best, you know, I think I think
we have this in the bag, and especially when it
comes down to our hard work and our grit. You know,
I think you've seen that in the TCU game, the
Baylor game. We're not backing down. And you know, this
is only the start, it's the beginning. We have the
NCAA Tournament coming up too, and I just think, you know,
every team should watch out because we have a little
chip on our shoulder. And we're for everybody and we
know we all have the talent and belief in each
other to do it.
Speaker 1: I love how you're talking and talking walk on the
walk man to see you guys like, no, like, I
honestly feel like I've watched you know, most of these games.
Obviously the show goes as we're doing, you know, doing
the show live and everything. There's some moments where we're
not able to watch everything, so trying to stay tuned
in and man like Ellie's goals, Uh, just seeing everybody
likes so locked.
Speaker 2: In and I can't.
Speaker 1: I wish that I could be on the sideline and
not watching on my you know device tomorrow because I
think I think you guys are gonna rectify you know
two yours. I think the Big twelve title is coming
back to Provo YouTube. I think Ellie Wallbrook's gonna take
that MVP of the tournament back as well.
Speaker 3: Yeah. Absolutely, I couldn't agree more.
Speaker 1: What would that mean to you? We'll get you out
of here on this mac? What would that mean to
end the be? What in your soccer career? And when
I mean not because you still got tournament play of
the NCAA, but in conference play with the conference champion
title for you, it.
Speaker 3: Would mean everything to me. I mean, it would just
justify all the hard work my team has put into this.
You know, obviously, our season's been rocky and we've just
been constantly grinding and fighting and we all know what
we deserve and we know how to get there, and
so you know, winning this championship would just, you know,
justify all the hard work that we've put in.
Speaker 1: Well, everybody in Cougar Nation here in Provolong the Wall
Satch Front maybe not as you get more of North
to So Lake maybe than not them, but definitely the
Cougar fans in the state of Utah. All I wish
you the best us here at ESPN the fan myself
been Brett always bringing the hammer. Good luck tomorrow and
we know that you guys will be bringing that title
back to add to that trophy case in Jen Rockwood,
another title.
Speaker 3: Thank you.
Speaker 2: Okay, I'll let you go back. Okay, that was McKenzie.
Speaker 1: That was Mackenzie Vance right there, and a little insider
report and that was brought to you by a big
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Speaker 2: We'll go to break, don't go anywhere. It's still a
lot more to get to.
Speaker 1: On a Thursday, November sixth edition of Cougar Sports right
here on one, O, three nine and ninety eight three