PROVO -- Continuing their 17-game regular season home undefeated record, the No. 13 BYU women's soccer team (13-2-2, 4-1-1) took down the San Diego State Aztecs 1-0 on a chilly Provo evening, Saturday.
“I thought we did pretty well tonight,” BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said following the game. “We’re coming off a loss and tie so this is a good win to take with us as we play our next two games on the road. Scoring a goal definitely gives you confidence and helps settle the girls into their rhythm.”
The Cougars honored their four seniors Kassidy Shumway, Mercede Koning, Nicole Gilliam and Kristi Jackson prior to the game. The four seniors were recognized this season as one of the winningest senior classes of 2010 compiling the sixth-best record in Division I college soccer over the last four years.
Carlee Payne netted the game-winner for BYU when she found the back of the net in the 32nd minute of the game. The ball deflected off a SDSU defender and Payne snuck the ball in around the far right post to give BYU its 1-0 lead.
“Carlee is always ready to play,” Rockwood said. “She always gives it everything she has in every second of the game so we’re very lucky to have her.”
Neither team was able to take a shot until the eleventh minute when the Aztecs attempted a shot that was wide to the left. Three minutes later they would find an open shot again but this time it was saved by BYU goalie, McKinzie Olson.
With just four minutes to play in the half, Payne took a lead in front of an Aztec defender for a one-on-one with goalie Aubree Southwick. A rough collision resulted in Southwick receiving a red card, the Aztec’s replacing their goalie and the Cougars taking a free kick. SDSU played with one less player for the rest of the game.
At the end of the half both teams had attempted seven shots on goal.
In the second half BYU outshot the Aztecs 8-1, keeping them in single-digits to extend their record of keeping all opponents, but three, to single-digit shot performances in 2010.
BYU will next hit the road to take on No. 11 Santa Clara at 7 p.m. PT on Thursday, Oct. 28.
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