PROVO -- Erika Woodbury set the BYU single-season-shutout record, while Katie Larkin sparked an offense outburst to go along with tough defense to lead the Cougars to a 3-0 victory over Wyoming Thursday night at South Stadium.
With the win BYU improved to12-2-2 overall and 3-1-1 in conference play. Wyoming fell to 6-7-3 and 1-2-2.
"It was a tremendous team effort," BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "We've been working really hard on offense the last three weeks. The girls really stepped it up."
Woodbury recorded her 10th shutout of the season in goal for the Cougars. She is now three away from setting the school record for shutouts in a career, which is currently held by Jennifer Waldron.
"Erika has been a key figure for us this year," Rockwood said. "We hope it continues."
BYU's defense, led by Jessica Harmon, played well all night, limiting the Cowgirls to just four shots on goal. Wyoming's first shot on goal did not come until late in the second half. The Cougars ended up outshooting the Cowgirls 22-4 on the evening. BYU's defense did not allow a single shot during the first half of action, while the Cougars posted 12, including nine shots on goal.
"I was very proud of our defensive effort tonight," Rockwood said. "The defense had their hands full and did a great job."
First-half play started off with Wyoming moving the ball around early in Cougar territory. The BYU defense hung tough and kept the Cowgirls away from the goal.
Carolyn Swenson got the offensive action started early when she took a pass in the left corner and fired a right-footed shot at the corner, forcing Wyoming keeper Ashley Sheppard to make a nice save.
The Cougars then controlled the ball for the next few minutes until scoring in the 14th minute. Katie Larkin broke free from a pack of Cowgirl defenders to take a long pass in the left corner of Wyoming territory. She took two strides and fired a right-footed shot out of reach of an oncoming defender and past Sheppard into the right corner of the net.
BYU controlled the action throughout the remainder of the half, keeping constant pressure on the Wyoming defense that resulted in several close goals. Natalie Nate came close after she intercepted a Cowgirl header in the box and took a quick shot toward the goal that was saved by Sheppard.
Not long after Nate's close call, Karen Cook blasted a long shot from 25 yards out that was bobbled by Sheppard. Jenavieve Phillips snatched the rebound and took a shot that appeared to cross the goal line right before Sheppard pounced on it. Cougar players and fans held their breath as an official ruled that Sheppard had made the stop.
Second half play continued much the same as the first half ended, as the Cougars controlled the ball and kept constant pressure on Wyoming while not allowing the Cowgirls to move past midfield very often.
The Cougars second goal came in the 70th minute of the game. Larkin got the ball on the left baseline, juked a Wyoming defender and passed it to the top of the box to Nate, who sent a rocket into the top-let corner of the net.
BYU got its third goal of the night almost four minutes later. Cook got the ball at midfield, wove in and out of the Wyoming defense and grounded a shot into the bottom right corner of the net.
The Cougars will be back in action Saturday night when they travel to Albuquerque, N.M. to take on New Mexico at 7 p.m.
Soccer Box Score (Final)
The Automated ScoreBook For Soccer
Wyoming vs #16 Brigham Young Univ. (Oct 19, 2006 at Provo, Utah)
Wyoming (6-7-3, 1-2-2) vs.
Brigham Young Univ. (12-2-2, 3-1-1)
Date: Oct 19, 2006 Attendance: 1101
Weather:
Goals by period 1 2 Total
Wyoming 0 0 0
Brigham Young Univ. 1 2 3
Wyoming
Pos ## Player Sh SOG G A
GK 33 SHEPPARD, Ashley 0 0 0 0
MF 3 LAYTON, Emily 1 0 0 0
F 7 NAGEL, Christine 0 0 0 0
MF 8 LATHROP, Amanda 0 0 0 0
D 10 BEST, Christina 0 0 0 0
D 11 CLARKE, Carolyn 0 0 0 0
MF 12 ADETOYE, Comfort 0 0 0 0
D 14 STANGL, Kristen 0 0 0 0
D 16 HUBBARD, Laine 1 0 0 0
MF 17 THIEMAN, Corey 0 0 0 0
F 23 LINDNER, Kelsey 1 0 0 0
--- Substitutes ---
5 GURROLA, Kristin 0 0 0 0
13 WILSON, Emma 0 0 0 0
18 SOLTAU, Andrea 0 0 0 0
22 GROY, Katie 0 0 0 0
24 ETHERIDGE, Kerstyn 1 0 0 0
25 RAMSEY, Leah 0 0 0 0
Totals......... 4 0 0 0
## Goalie Minutes GA Saves
33 SHEPPARD, Ashley 90:00 3 14
Brigham Young Univ.
Pos ## Player Sh SOG G A
GK 28 WOODBURY, Erika 0 0 0 0
D 3 CUTHBERT, Haylee 1 1 0 0
D 4 COOK, Karen 1 1 1 0
F 7 SWENSON, Carolyn 2 2 0 0
D 10 HARMON, Jessica 0 0 0 0
D 11 WILLIS, Andrea 0 0 0 0
MF 12 NATE, Natalie 2 2 1 0
F 16 AQUINO, Jessica 2 2 0 0
F 18 LARKIN, Katie 5 3 1 1
D 21 PHILLIPS, Jenavieve 1 1 0 0
F 22 FELLOWS, Katie 1 0 0 0
--- Substitutes ---
2 ANDERSON, Amberlea 1 0 0 0
5 HAYMOND, Alison 0 0 0 0
6 ZWAHLEN, Annie 0 0 0 0
8 STAPLES, Stephanie 1 1 0 0
9 DRAEGER, Amanda 0 0 0 0
13 DEARBORN, Heidi 0 0 0 0
14 HEATON, Laura 0 0 0 0
15 BOWMAN, Brooke 2 1 0 0
19 KAKADELAS, Kelsea 0 0 0 0
20 TILLOTSON, Bobbi 1 1 0 0
23 VANDER VEUR, Alyssa 2 2 0 0
25 THOMAS, Claire 0 0 0 0
26 SMURTHWAITE, Katie 0 0 0 0
Totals......... 22 17 3 1
## Goalie Minutes GA Saves
28 WOODBURY, Erika 90:00 0 0
Shots by period 1 2 Total
Wyoming 0 4 4
Brigham Young Univ. 12 10 22
Corner kicks 1 2 Total
Wyoming 0 0 0
Brigham Young Univ. 3 4 7
Saves by period 1 2 Total
Wyoming 9 5 14
Brigham Young Univ. 0 0 0
Fouls 1 2 Total
Wyoming 1 4 5
Brigham Young Univ. 2 3 5
SCORING SUMMARY
Goal Time Team Goal Scorer Assists
1. 13:55 BY LARKIN, Katie (unassisted)
2. 70:02 BY NATE, Natalie LARKIN, Katie
3. 74:11 BY COOK, Karen (unassisted)
CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS
WY #11 CLARKE, Carolyn Yellow card 26:07
Officials:
Offsides: Wyoming 0, Brigham Young Univ. 3.