PROVO, Utah – Behind an incredible nine saves from goalkeeper McKinzie Olson, the BYU women's soccer team (3-1-1) defeated Cal State Fullerton 2-1, Friday, on South Field.
To watch video click here.
"I think we made a good effort tonight," said BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood. "It might not have been our best game but we played well. Credit goes to Fullerton for taking us out of any sort of rhythm we tried to get into."
Olson's nine saves were one short of her career high and just three behind the BYU all-time record for saves in a single game.
"McKinzie of course came up huge for us over and over again," Rockwood said. "She saved us numerous times. We always hope that she doesn’t have to touch the ball at all but when she’s called upon to make saves, she does. That’s what she trains for and tonight she certainly did that."
The first 15 minutes of the game proved to be a stalemate as both teams struggled to gain the upper hand. In the 19th minute Cal State Fullerton was the benefit of a little luck when BYU defender Cami Jensen tried to clear a ball from the box but ended up putting it into the back of the BYU net, giving the Titans a 1-0 lead.
The Cougars responded quickly, pushing the ball forward with authority. After a deep ball down the left side, Auna Doria, floated the ball deep into the right side of the net for the equalizer.
To watch the video of tonight's game, click here.
The last few minutes of the first half were fast and frantic. Olson showed off her defensive abilities with two outstanding saves, one at the top bar and a diving parry for the clear.
The second half began by mirroring the first half, with both sides making fruitless attacks early on. Fullerton threatened early with multiple shots from right in front of the goal, but Olson was able to block everything that came her way.
In the 65th minute, the Cougars took control and struck again. Colette Jepson drove the ball to Doria up the right side, who then centered it to Jennie Marshall to drill it off the right post and into net. The gamewinner gave the Cougars the 2-1 advantage they needed to take the win.
Up next for BYU is a match up against the University of Arizona on Monday, September 5, at 1 p.m. MT.
Jennifer Rockwood, Head Coach
"I think we made a good effort tonight. It might not have been our best game but we played well. Credit goes to Fullerton for taking us out of any sort of rhythm we tried to get into. We struggled a bit in the first half to keep track of them and we had a hard time matching up so we had to chase more than we wanted to. Our girls, however, found a way to pull out the win and I’m proud of them."
"McKinzie of course came up huge for us over and over again. She saved us numerous times. We always hope that she doesn’t have to touch the ball at all but when she’s called upon to make saves, she does. That’s what she trains for and tonight she certainly did that."
Senior forward Auna Doria
"I was very excited after that first goal and really happy for the team also. We’re working on what we’ve been always working on and tonight with those two goals we got it done. It was a real team effort tonight and I'm glad to be a part of it."