Cougars grasp victory in last non-conference game

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After a fast-paced, evenly matched game, junior defender Lindsi Lisonbee was able to find the back of the net in the 72nd minute, leading the BYU women’s soccer team to a 1-0 victory against Utah State.

“There is a lot of pressure that everyone felt at the beginning of the season and it definitely wears on you a bit, so this week we wanted to find our confidence and alleviate some of the pressure for the players,” head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. “We made an adjustment in our formation and we like it. It is something different that we haven’t done before and the girls have really responded well to it.”

BYU out-shot the Aggies 7-3 in the first half but didn’t see any goals until the second half when Lisonbee headed the ball off a corner kick made by junior midfielder Jessica Ringwood, giving the Cougars the lead.

Lisonbee said she has her team to thank for the games’ only goal.

“Every time I go up for a corner I hear my teammates chanting for me so I owe it to them,” Lisonbee said. “They have a lot of confidence and believe in me, so it was time to put one in the back of the net on a corner kick.”

Rockwood expressed confidence in Lisonbee and said the team can always depend on her both defensively and offensively.

“Lindsi is a big time player for us,” Rockwood said. ” She is a great leader on the field and we rely so much on her defensively, but we also know in set pieces she can come up and score at any time. She came through today and that was a fantastic goal.”

With only 18 minutes left in the game, and BYU ahead by one goal, Utah State continued to play with energy and applied pressure on BYU’s defensive. However, the Cougars’ defensive line knew what they had to do to keep the win, and they did just that.

BYU continues to miss senior forward Auna Doria, who tore her ACL in the game against Idaho State, but Rockwood said she is an inspiration for the team.

“Losing Auna is a really big loss because she is such a big part of our team,” Rockwood said. “She has worked so hard this year and has had a great season before the injury. Auna will always be there and the girls will play for her. She had surgery [Thursday] and was still out on the field supporting her teammates. Auna is all about the team, and I think it is a great example for everybody to make sure you take every opportunity you have and make the most of it.”

Lisonbee agreed with Rockwood and said the team will continue to play with energy and passion for Doria.

“We feel horrible,” Lisonbee said. “It is a sad situation. Auna is a huge part of our team and is one of the most positive, amazing girls on our team. It is hard but we will play for her.”

BYU now has a 6-3-2 record going into conference play and will host the University of Portland on Oct. 6th at South Field.

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