LOS ANGELES -- After receiving good news from the NCAA, BYU's 11th ranked women's soccer team went into the Los Angeles Coliseum with high hopes and lots of determination to win. But in the end it came down to some bad luck for the Cougars and good luck for the Trojans. Ninth ranked USC defeated BYU, 2-1, Friday afternoon handing the highly ranked Cougars their first loss of the season.
Junior midfielder Sara Reading struck first with a goal in the 30th minute of the game. Teammate Rachelle Dixon picked up the assist.
USC scored right back in the next minute tying up the score 1-1 with a goal by freshman midfielder Ali Fennell.
"We came out and played well, outplaying them especially in the second half. It's disappointing that the game was won on a controversial goal," said BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood. "I know the girls are very disappointed right now because they know we were the better team."
The controversial call involved the linesman indicating an offside call, with the head referee waving it off allowing the goal by Ali Fennell to stand. Both teams had seen the flag go up by the linesman and stopped play, sophomore goalkeeper Jennifer Waldron not attempting to save the goal.
BYU, 6-1, travels to Fullerton for a Saturday afternoon game against Cal State Fullerton.
BYU: 1, USC: 2
Scoring:
BYU-Sara Reading, 30:00 (Rachelle Dixon, assist)
USC- Ali Fennell, 31:00 (unassisted)
USC-Ali Fennel, 68:00 (Christina Kushnir, assist)
Shots: BYU: 13, USC: 12
Keeper Saves: BYU: 4, USC: 5