PROVO -- In an extremely physical game, which included two Denver yellow cards in the first half and a head-to-head collision 45 seconds into the second, BYU (5-0-0) defeated Denver (1-2-1), 2-0 on Friday, at South Stadium.
The first 30 minutes of action saw both teams struggling to find the back of the net, but Jaime Rendich Beck, who led the Cougar offense, had her opportunities.
"It was a battle out there," head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "This is obviously the most skilled team we've played this year. It was a great experience for us to battle through some things. We had some great opportunities and some nice individual work by Jaime. I was really impressed with her play."
Seven minutes into the game Beck received a touch pass from Katie Larkin at point-blank range. The goalkeeper dove to make the snatch. Moments later Beck again had the ball in the middle of the field, leaving a Pioneer defender flat-footed. The ball soared just over the crossbar.
BYU finally connected in the 35th minute. Brooke Thulin made her characteristic flip-throw that deflected off a Denver player, finding Beck right beside the goalpost. The header marked her third goal of the season.
"That's kind of my spot," Beck said. "Every time I wait for it, hoping it comes to me. So when it did, I was ready."
In front of 2,185 fans, the fourth time in four games more than 2,000 fans have attended, the Cougars demonstrated their offensive prowess in the second half. The team dominated on both ends of the field, displaying technical dominance and out shooting the Pioneers 10 to 2 in the second half and 23 to 2 on the game.
The Cougars earned 11 shots on goal during the game, yet did not find their second goal until Katie Larkin received the ball on the left side of the goal, weaving in and out of three defenders on her way to a 35-yard sprint that resulted in her first goal of the season.
"I think we played awesome," Beck said. "Everyone was just working so hard--pressuring them on defense. I think we wore them down. I wish we could have put a few more away, but we'll keep working on that."
The Cougars, who are now a perfect 5-0, take on their biggest challenge yet on Monday against No. 22 Texas. Game time is set for 8 p.m., and will be televised on BYUTV.
ccer Box Score (Final)
The Automated ScoreBook For Soccer
University of Denver vs Brigham Young Univ. (Sep 09, 2005 at Provo, Utah)
University of Denver (1-2-1) vs. Goals by period 1 2 Tot
Brigham Young Univ. (5-0-0) -------------------------------
Date: Sep 09, 2005 Attendance: 2185 University of Denver 0 0 - 0
Weather: Brigham Young Univ.. 1 1 - 2
University of Denver Brigham Young Univ.
Pos ## Player Sh SOG G A Pos ## Player Sh SOG G A
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
GK 1 Wiley, Danielle..... - - - - GK 28 WOODBURY, Erika..... - - - -
MF 3 Mann, Laura......... - - - - F 7 SWENSON, Carolyn.... 5 3 - -
F 4 Huppert, Holly...... - - - - MF 9 HARMON, Jessica..... - - - 1
MF 5 Dierberger, Jamie... - - - - MF 11 BECK, Jaime......... 6 4 1 -
D 6 Keller, Jessica..... - - - - MF 12 NATE, Natalie....... 4 - - -
MF 8 Billingsley, Jenna.. 1 1 - - MF 13 THULIN, Brooke...... 2 1 - 1
MF 12 Hines, Emily........ - - - - MF 16 LUI, Charlene....... - - - -
MF 14 Hemmings, Taryn..... - - - - F 18 LARKIN, Katie....... 3 1 1 -
16 Oates, Katie........ - - - - MF 19 ANDERSON, Nicole.... - - - -
MF 19 Fry, Rachael........ - - - - F 20 Tillotson, Bobbi.... - - - -
D 20 Mcfarlane, Kyle..... - - - - D 25 THOMAS, Claire...... - - - -
---------- Substitutes ---------- ---------- Substitutes ----------
00 Crean, Cadie........ - - - - 00 SMITH, Ashley....... - - - -
2 McCallum, Carlynn... - - - - 2 ANDERSON, Amberlea.. - - - -
10 Roux, Katie......... - - - - 3 CUTHBERT, Haylee.... - - - -
13 Martinez, Sarah..... 1 - - - 4 AQUINO, Jessica..... - - - -
15 Schonberger, Dana... - - - - 5 FELLER, Whitney..... - - - -
18 Lochmiller, Margaux. - - - - 6 ZWAHLEN, Annie...... 1 1 - -
15 BOWMAN, Brooke...... 1 - - -
Totals.............. 2 1 0 0 22 FELLOWS, Katie...... - - - -
27 COOK, Karen......... 1 1 - -
Totals.............. 23 11 2 2
University of Denver Brigham Young Univ.
## Player MIN GA Saves ## Player MIN GA Saves
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
1 Wiley, Danielle..... 90:00 2 9 28 WOODBURY, Erika..... 90:00 0 1
Shots by period 1 2 Tot Saves by period 1 2 Tot
------------------------------- -------------------------------
University of Denver 0 2 - 2 University of Denver 7 2 - 9
Brigham Young Univ.. 13 10 - 23 Brigham Young Univ.. 0 1 - 1
Corner kicks 1 2 Tot Fouls 1 2 Tot
------------------------------- -------------------------------
University of Denver 0 1 - 1 University of Denver 5 3 - 8
Brigham Young Univ.. 2 3 - 5 Brigham Young Univ.. 9 8 - 17
SCORING SUMMARY:
GOAL Time Team ## Goal Scorer Assists
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 35:37 BY 11 BECK, Jaime (3) 13 THULIN, Brooke
2. 79:28 BY 18 LARKIN, Katie (1) 9 HARMON, Jessica
CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS:
YC-DENVER #4 (21:39); YC-DENVER #1 (38:52)
Officials:
Offsides: University of Denver 1, Brigham Young Univ. 1.