The No. 6 BYU Women's Soccer team travelled to Eugene Oregon to play the Oregon Ducks on Thursday night. Defensive brilliance from both teams resulted in a 0-0 tie.
The Cougars shot the ball well, but also had difficulty finding the back of the net. However, the lack of scoring was not because of poor play from the Cougars. The Oregon goalkeeper, Abby Steele, made impressive save after impressive save. BYU took 16 shots total and eight of those shots were on goal.
Jaiden Thornock controls the ball against UVU last season. (Photo by Universe Photographer.)
The speed of the Oregon Ducks caused problems for the BYU defense all night long. However, the BYU defense again proved to be the difference in the game as they recorded the third shutout of the season. They have still only given up three goals in five games.
BYU's standout goalkeeper, Erica Owens, had to make a couple key plays to carry her team through. Oregon shot 19 shots total and five shots on goal. One of those five shots was stopped by a diving save from Owens which preserved the 0-0 tie and kept her team in the game.
The Cougars' closest scoring opportunity came early in the first half when Senior midfielder Cloee Colohan took a free kick from outside the box and drilled the crossbar. Freshman forward Ashley Hatch also had an opportunity in the second half when she put the ball just wide on a put-back attempt.
BYU returns home to host UC Irvine on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Cougars will look to bounce back from their first scoreless game and try to continue their unbeaten streak.