SANTA CLARA, Calif. - For the second straight year, BYU's NCAA run was stopped by the the same team, Santa Clara.
In Saturday's third round action at the NCAA Women's Division I soccer championships, the second ranked and third seeded Broncos captured a 3-0 victory over the Cougars to end their season with a 20-5 record.
"We played a lot better and stayed with them much more so this year than last," said head coach Jennifer Rockwood. "We are pleased and proud of our team effort and the way we played. Our midfielders and forwards put a lot of pressure on them especially in the second half."
Santa Clara's three goals were scored in 10 minute intervals during the first 38 minutes of the game. The Broncos go on to host Connecticut next Saturday in the quarterfinal round of the championships.
"They are a great team that has a fast speed style of play. This year the conditions for the game were good and I had a lot of fun playing," said junior forward Maren Hendershot. In last year's 1-0 loss, BYU played Santa Clara in the same field under very muddy wet conditions.
"We were hoping to at least get one or two goals in the second half, but they just weren't there for us," added coach Rockwood.
Santa Clara 21-0-1, captured its 15th straight shutout of the year with Saturday's victory.
The finals of this year's championships will be in North Carolina on December 4-6.
Goals
Brigham Young - 0, Santa Clara - 3
Scoring
SCU - Jacqui Little (Celio, Krays assists); 11:51
SCU - Kathleen Celio (Serlenga assist); 19:34
SCU - Kylie Bivens (Slaton assist); 37:59
Shots
Brigham Young - 8, Santa Clara - 13
Keeper Saves
Brigham Young - 2, Santa Clara - 4