Cougars edge out Wolverines

Earning their ninth-straight win, the No. 6 BYU women's soccer team beat their cross-town rival Utah Valley University 1-0 Thursday night.

'I thought we played very well tonight,' Coach Jennifer Rockwood said. 'We would've liked a couple more goals, but we got the win and we were still able to keep our rhythm.'

The lone goal of the game came as the first half was coming to a close off the foot of senior forward Jessica Ringwood, bringing the home crowd of 3,589 to their feet and sending the girls to another win.

This is the the seventh shutout the Cougar defense and goalkeeper Erica Owens have registered this season. The solid defense didn't allow the Wolverines to get many looks at the goal, but when they did Owens' saves brought the crowd to their feet chanting her name.

Improving their record to 11-1, the Cougars have confidence and momentum heading into West Coast Conference league play. Following a disappointing season last year where the Cougars missed the NCAA tournament, Ringwood and the team feel optimistic heading into another year in the WCC.

'I think we're going to do very well,' Ringwood said. 'We're very excited for Santa Clara and a good week of practice getting ready for them.'

The coaching staff is similarly excited about the coming games and the opportunity they will have to make it back to the NCAA tournament and show the world they are a force to be reckoned with.

'This has been such a great preseason for us,' Rockwood said. 'The team has played outstanding; we've had some unbelievable performances.'

The loss drops the UVU Wolverines to 1-9-1 on the season, although their record does not accurately portray the quality of play they exhibited against the Cougars. Wolverine goalkeeper Lauren Sack and the Wolverine defense gave up only one goal on 21 shots the Cougars bombarded them with.

The BYU women's soccer team plays again Friday October 5 at 6 p.m. against a good Santa Clara team which the Cougars have yet to defeat.