BYU overcame a slow start and early deficit to beat Arizona State 15-11 in Tempe, Arizona, on Thursday night.
The Cougars improved to 1-0 on the season, while Arizona State dropped to 1-1.
Thursday’s game was not originally BYU’s first game of the season, but a canceled preseason scrimmage and postponed season opener against the University of Nevada Reno rearranged the Cougar’s season before it had even started.
“Heading into (the) game, this was the first competition the team has faced since the fall. I think that added to the slow start in the first quarter,” head coach Matt Schneck said. "Once we found our groove, the guys played great.”
The Cougars settled in and did indeed find their groove.
Early in the game, the Sun Devils controlled the time of possession and led BYU 3-1 at the end of the first quarter. However, BYU was much more dominant in the second and third quarters, going on a 13-2 scoring run.
The Cougars played with a faster pace, scored quickly in transition, and showed a great defensive effort. BYU took the lead right before halftime and never relinquished it.
Much of BYU’s success on offense was due to attackmen Mason Quick and Gavin Taylor, as well as midfielder Hutton Murphy.
Between the three, they had twelve goals and four assists.
A transfer from the University of Utah, Quick played his first game as a BYU Cougar and finished with two goals and two assists. Taylor, a Preseason All-American, could not have had a much stronger start to the season with seven goals and one assist.
Murphy, a sophomore from Draper, Utah, finished the game with three goals and one assist. “We expect (Murphy) to help lead the offense the entire year,” Schneck said.
After each point, the BYU bench got louder and louder, most notably yelling, “Papa Murphy,” every time Murphy scored.
Arizona State had a couple of quick goals in the fourth quarter to draw within four points, but Taylor responded with a goal of his own. Goalie Easton Wilkey, another Preseason All-American, also had timely saves to close out the game.
Schneck was pleased with the way his team performed. “We are super happy with the win against Arizona State. I fully expect that (Arizona State) will be competing for a spot in (the) National Championship Tournament in Virgina in May.”
BYU only has a short time to prepare before facing their next opponent – Grand Canyon University.
“Heading into the GCU game, we are preparing for a tough game,” said Schneck. ‘They are good every year, have great players and smart coaches. We are expecting a good fight.”
BYU will play at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday.