By Matthew Best
The BYU women?s soccer team kicked off their home season and a five-game home stand Monday, dropping a tough game to No. 11 Kansas 1-0.
The loss followed last week?s loss to Idaho State in the season opener.
The only goal of the game came in the 30th minute of the game when Kansas defender Holly Gault scored on an assist from Nicole Cauzillo .
True freshman Erika Woodbury started the game at goalie. It was also Woodbury?s first collegiate start.
?It was exciting and a little nerve wracking,? Woodbury said.
Attacking early, Jayhawks forward Jessica Smith collected the game?s first shot attempt one minute into the game.
Kansas maintained the momentum until Natalie Nate jumpstarted a BYU attack 15 minutes into the game. The attack climaxed when Nate sent a shot high off the crossbeam. In the final minutes of the first half, the Cougars had one more attack that stalled due to an offsides call.
Starting the second half, both teams struggled to maintain momentum as temperatures hit 90 degrees. Cougar coach Jennifer Rockwood said both teams were hampered by the temperature and the early 2 p.m. start time.
Woodbury collected four saves for the game, slowing down a fast Jayhawk team.
?I thought we played a good game,? she said. ?We gave up an unlucky goal but I thought the team did well.?
After BYU outshot Kansas 5-4 in the first half, the Jayhawks doubled up the Cougars 6-3 in shots in the second half. For BYU, Nate led the Cougars with two shots-on-goal, and Krissa Reinbold added a shot-on-goal.
Despite the season?s second straight loss, Coach Rockwood maintained a positive outlook.
?I think we did better today than we did at ISU,? she said. ?We still have a lot to work on, but I saw some nice things.
?We have to be able to connect better in the offensive third (forwards and midfielders) better.?
Rockwood was complimentary of Woodbury?s play in her first start.
?Erika Woodbury did a tremendous job in goal today,? she said. ?Woodbury read the game well.?
Woodbury will also start the Cougars next home game.
The Cougars” next game will be on Thursday at 7 p.m. against Northwestern, followed by another home game against Arizona State, also ranked in the top 15. Both games will be played at South Stadium.
