The BYU women’s soccer team dominated their game against Texas Thursday night 5-0.
Despite a tough first half, in which the cougar’s had 15 shots on goal without a single goal to show for it, the Cougars came out with an agressive approach in the second half, netting five goals against the Longhorns.
Dana Oldroyd Cusick, a senior defender for the Cougars who scored the go ahead goal in the 53rd minute, spoke of the calmness in the locker room at halftime despite the lack of scoreboard results.
“Coach just told us we’re playing great and to keep going forward,” Cusick said. “We had lots of opportunities in the first half, but we just kept pushing, and when you boost each other up and keep working hard it just kinda turns your way, so it was fun.”
Cusick’s goal was accompanied by two goals from Michelle Murphy, one by Carlee Payne Holmoe, and a deep goal off a free kick by All-American Lindsi Lisonbee Cutshall.
The boost in goals over the last couple games is largely attributed to BYU’s change in philosophy, according to head coach Jennifer Rockwood.
“After last year it seemed like we just didn’t score,” Rockwood said. “So we wanted to free up our attacking players and play with four forwards and we’ve seemed to reap the benefits.”
It certainly seems the offense is rolling after this performance, but not to be forgotten is the fact this is the Cougar’s third straight shutout.
Rockwood noted the shutout, coupled with the quality of the opponent, definitely gives the team momentum and confidence going into Saturday’s game against No. 6 Penn State.
“Every game we seem to get a little more comfortable playing with each other,” Rockwood said. “The confidence is growing. Certainly when you come out and control the game against a team like Texas it definitely boosts your confidence, so we’re excited and looking forward to what’s ahead.”
