Ashley Hatch takes the ball down the field towards the goal in the game against Colorado College. (Ari Davis)
The BYU women's soccer team extended their winning streak on the road as they defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 2-0 in what was expected to be a heated match.
'That was a tough battle tonight,' BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said.
Forward Ashley Hatch lit up the net early with a goal in the 16th minute giving the Cougars an early lead. The assist came from Nadia Gomes who was able to lose her defender and played the ball in the box where Hatch placed the ball in the back of the net. This was Hatch's 26th career goal making her tied for 11th all-time scorer at BYU.
From there, both teams displayed impressive forms of defense. The score was left 1-0 at the half. The Cougars were able to capitalize early in the second half and scored in the 58th minute, this time from Michele Murphy Vasconcelos.
'Murphy was fantastic tonight,' said Rockwood. 'I thought she was really a highlight of our game. She helped us keep possession and was very dangerous the entire game.'
An early goal in each half was enough for the Cougars as the defense continued their solid play. The final score was 2-0. This also makes the third clean sheet in a row for goal-keeper Rachel Boaz despite the 10 shots and six corner kicks taken by the Cornhuskers.
'It’s always hard to come on the road against a great program in a good conference and a great facility. We came out on the good end of things but it was a grind,' Rockwood said.
The No. 11 BYU women's soccer team is scheduled to play Utah in the Deseret First Duel Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. on South Field.