The BYU women’s soccer team continued its impressive streak, beating the WAC champion the Utah State Aggies 2-1 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The game was originally scheduled to take place on Friday at 6 p.m. but due to weather conditions the game was postponed. Yet Saturday, in front of an energetic and excited home crowd, it soon became clear that even the weather couldn’t cool down the red hot Cougars.
BYU got on the board in the 29th minute with a goal off the foot of senior forward Jessica Ringwood. A stellar pass by sophomore forward Jaiden Thornock set up the senior for the goal.
Marissa Nimmer followed with a goal ten minutes later to push the Cougars’ lead to two on the 9-2-6 Aggies. Utah State responded in the first minute of the second half with a goal of their own, but the Cougars’ stifling defense held strong to protect BYU’s early lead.
“This was a huge win for us in our first NCAA tournament game this year,” BYU Head Coach Jennifer Rockwood said. “We drew a really tough opening round against Utah State and knew that it was going to be a battle once we found out we were going to play them. We were able to bounce back from their early goal in the second half and do what we needed to do to get the win.”
With the win the Cougars add to their home streak, protecting their home field by staying unbeaten in each of their 12 games at South Field this season, while outscoring opponents there 34-6.
Next on the plate for the No. 1 seeded Cougars is another home match against the 13-10-1 Auburn Tigers from Auburn, Ala. The game will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday at South Field.
“We have amazing seniors who are all so motivated,” senior defender Lindsi Lisonbee Cutshall said. “We’re excited to see how far we can go.”
