By Shannon McOmber
The BYU women’s soccer team swept the Mountain West Conference for the regular-season title Saturday with a 4-1 victory over Wyoming.
The Cougars went undefeated in conference play.
“We had some good moments out there and I was pleased with our total team effort,” said Cougar coach Jennifer Rockwood.
“We were able to reach our first goal, which was to win the regular conference season.”
And the Cougars had to strike early to do it.
Wyoming came out hard with Sara Stevens scoring the Cowboy’s first — and last — goal only two minutes into the game.
But BYU would not be outdone.
The Cougars answered the attack three minutes later with Sarah Higham making good on a pass from Cougar teammate Farrah Hofheins to place BYU on the scoreboard.
Higham’s goal was followed only five minutes later by a shot to the back of the net from BYU sophomore Jeni Willardson.
“Even though we came out strong, we were caught off guard when Wyoming scored first,” Rockwood said, “but we evened it up soon after that.”
Wyoming never saw the net again.
BYU freshman Aleisha Cramer and senior Janet Jensen gave the Cougars a safe lead in the second half, each scoring unassisted goals for the Cougars.
The win moves the No. 15-ranked Cougar record to 14-3-1 overall and 6-0 in the conference.
The win also gives the Cougars an advantage in tournament play since they will receive a bye for the first post season game.
BYU has two games left in non-conference play before tournament action begins.
“We are looking forward to taking on a few top-ranking opponents,” Rockwood said. “Playing a few good solid teams that challenge us will help us get our intensity up for tournament play.”
The Cougars will battle Minnesota on the road this Friday.
