SALT LAKE -- No. 9 BYU (10-2-1, 1-1-0) couldn't overcome an early Utah goal (8-5-0, 2-0-0) Saturday at Ute Soccer Field, falling for just the second time this season, 1-0.
"The most frustrating part is the fact that we were so tentative and nervous at the beginning," head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "We struggled to find our rhythm early. We played really well in the second half, though. Our problem is that we keep creating opportunities, but we need to find someone who can put the ball away for us."
The Utes got on board early when Melissa Crespo gathered the ball at midfield and flicked it forward, catching Adele Letro in stride. Letro sent a one-touch shot toward the left post. BYU keeper Erika Woodbury stretched out for the save, but the ball slipped right under her.
BYU came out with more energy in the second period, controlling possession and earning multiple chances throughout the half. The team found its rhythm, playing good balls and finding each other in the seams.
One of the Cougars' best chances of the game came three minutes into the half when Natalie Nate got the ball 30 yards out and blasted a high-arching shot. The ball barely flew over the top of the goal. It was so close that BYU fans attending the game thought the shot had scored.
BYU had another close call in the 70th minute when Haylee Cuthbert sent a corner kick into the mix. The ball bounced off a Ute defender, hit the top of the cross bar, rested there for a second and fell out.
In the 63rd minute, Letro received the ball in the open field for Utah. She took the ball straight at Woodbury, getting half a step by her. Woodbury quickly regrouped, chased Letro down and dove for the ball to make the impressive snatch. The play resulted in a Cougar breakaway. Larkin was fouled 22 feet out, but was unable to convert the free kick.
Although BYU dominated the majority of the second half, they completely controlled the last 15 minutes of play. The Cougars had solid look after solid look, but couldn't come up with the tying goal.
The Cougars outshot Utah 14-8, including a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal.
BYU returns home this week to host MWC rivals San Deigo State and Air Force on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. Games times are slated for 7 p.m.
Soccer Box Score (Final)
The Automated ScoreBook For Soccer
#15 Brigham Young Univ. vs #19 Utah (Oct 07, 2006 at Salt Lake City)
Brigham Young Univ. (11-1-1, 1-1-0) vs.
Utah (8-5-0, 2-0-0)
Date: Oct 07, 2006 Attendance: 1384
Weather: 59 degrees, light rain
Goals by period 1 2 Total
Brigham Young Univ. 0 0 0
Utah 1 0 1
Brigham Young Univ.
Pos ## Player Sh SOG G A
GK 28 WOODBURY, Erika 0 0 0 0
D 3 CUTHBERT, Haylee 0 0 0 0
D 4 COOK, Karen 0 0 0 0
F 6 ZWAHLEN, Annie 1 1 0 0
F 7 SWENSON, Carolyn 1 1 0 0
D 10 HARMON, Jessica 1 0 0 0
D 11 WILLIS, Andrea 0 0 0 0
M 12 NATE, Natalie 3 0 0 0
F 15 BOWMAN, Brooke 2 0 0 0
M 18 LARKIN, Katie 3 1 0 0
M 19 KAKADELAS, Kelsea 0 0 0 0
--- Substitutes ---
2 ANDERSON, Amberlea 1 1 0 0
13 DEARBORN, Heidi 0 0 0 0
16 AQUINO, Jessica 0 0 0 0
20 TILLOTSON, Bobbi 0 0 0 0
21 PHILLIPS, Jenavieve 2 0 0 0
22 FELLOWS, Katie 0 0 0 0
23 VANDER VEUR, Alyssa 0 0 0 0
25 THOMAS, Claire 0 0 0 0
Totals......... 14 4 0 0
## Goalie Minutes GA Saves
28 WOODBURY, Erika 90:00 1 1
TM TEAM 0:00 0 1
Utah
Pos ## Player Sh SOG G A
GK 0 MASON, Ashley 2 1 0 0
F 3 FEIGT, Amanda 3 2 1 0
D 7 CRESPO, Melissa 0 0 0 0
M 8 WAYMAN, Melissa 0 0 0 0
M 23 ISLEIB, Kelly 0 0 0 0
F 33 MARSH, Hailey 0 0 0 0
--- Substitutes ---
00 ROGERS, Emalee 0 0 0 1
1 EDMAN, Amy 0 0 0 0
4 MARSENARO, Paola 0 0 0 0
5 DUARTE, Tasia 0 0 0 0
6 REINEKE, Katy 0 0 0 0
9 CARD, Chelsea 2 0 0 0
18 SAMPLE, Danielle 1 0 0 0
19 DORSEY, Whitney 0 0 0 0
20 CAMPBELL, Emily 0 0 0 0
Totals......... 8 3 1 1
## Goalie Minutes GA Saves
TM TEAM 90:00 0 4
Shots by period 1 2 Total
Brigham Young Univ. 3 11 14
Utah 3 5 8
Corner kicks 1 2 Total
Brigham Young Univ. 3 2 5
Utah 1 0 1
Saves by period 1 2 Total
Brigham Young Univ. 1 1 2
Utah 1 3 4
Fouls 1 2 Total
Brigham Young Univ. 5 2 7
Utah 5 5 10
SCORING SUMMARY
Goal Time Team Goal Scorer Assists
Description
1. 15:13 UT LETRO, Adele (6) CRESPO, Melissa
pass ahead to letro shot 15 yards out to
CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS
UT #8 WAYMAN, Melissa Yellow card 65:40
UT #6 REINEKE, Katy Yellow card 89:13
Officials: Referee: Padman Senthirajah;
Asst. Referee: David James; Keith Williamson; Alt. Official: Brad Yoder;
Timekeeper: Mike Lageschulte; Scorer: Kyle Holbrook;
Offsides: Brigham Young Univ. 4, Utah 1.