By LESLIE ARMSTRONG
BYU women’s soccer experienced highs and lows during the first day of the BYU Invitational Thursday, but managed to walk away with a 2-0 victory over Montana.
Players spirits were flying high after the game because this shutout brings them to a 15-game winning streak and a 5-0 record for the season. However, walking away with a victory was tough for the players knowing that forward Michelle Jensen wasn’t doing any walking after the game.
Jensen went down on the field just before halftime and needed to be helped off the field by trainers. She was unable to play the remainder of the game and is reported to have sprained her ankle.
Head coach Jennifer Rockwood had not received particulars on Jensen’s injury after the game, but she commented that Jensen appeared to have been in a lot of pain.
The Cougars pulled off their fifth victory of the season despite losing Jensen from the line-up. Part of the victory can be accredited to Sara Reading and Maren Hendershot, who scored the two goals of the game.
Reading, a forward, scored the first goal on a shot to the right corner of the goal 10 minutes into the game. Athelia Graham and Ashley Monahan were credited with the assist. Hendershot scored the second goal 10 minutes into the second half.
Rockwood commented that the defense was the key factor in the team’s victory against Montana.
“Our defense is what won it for us,” said Rockwood, “specifically Staci Reynolds, Shannon Kimball, Laurel Simpson, and Athelia Graham.”
Defender Laurel Simpson, agreed with Rockwood saying, “We really played well together. Those were some of the best forwards we’ve faced.” Simpson feels the defense is beginning to work together more and become stronger as a whole.
Forward Hendershot felt the same regarding the Cougars offense.
“This was the first time Shauna (Rohbock) and I played together,” Hendershot said. “We really worked together, and our offense was strong tonight.”
The Cougars next game is Saturday at 7 p.m. against Weber State. Weber State beat California State University, Fullerton, 3-0 Thursday to begin the tournament.
“There’s always been a big instate rivalry with them (Weber),” Rockwood said. She is expecting it to be a “very competitive” game.
