McCarthy, Cougars sink Pilots 4-0 on Senior Day

PROVO, Utah – Rachel McCarthy recorded three shots, an assist and a goal in her first career start as No. 17 BYU women’s soccer dominated Portland in a 4-0 win at South Field on Saturday.

“[McCarthy] is really coming into her own and playing with a lot of confidence,” said BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood.

The sophomore forward displayed such confidence with her second shot of the afternoon in the 17th minute. McCarthy ripped the shot from 20 yards out and watched as it flew into the top left of the goal, just past the outstretched fingers of Portland goalie Madison Zamora.

“[McCarthy’s goal] was unbelievable,” said Rockwood. “She can score in a lot of different ways. I’m really happy for her.”

McCarthy’s long ball put BYU up 2-0 and came just moments after Bella Folino opened the team’s scoring with a goal in the 15th minute.

While the Cougar offense shined to start the game, goalie Cassidy Smith and the defense made critical stops in the ensuing action to preserve BYU’s shutout.

Smith recorded two saves on Portland shots in the 18th and 37th minutes along with a saved penalty kick following a Pilot breakaway in the 19th.

BYU’s final two goals came with help off the bench. Brecken Mozingo checked into the game and promptly extended the Cougars lead to 3-0 at the half following her goal in the 33rd. Though Cameron Tucker was unable to score a goal for the sixth game in a row, she got in on the action with an assist to Ashton Brockbank-Johnson who put BYU up four in the 54th.

The Cougars showed off their depth on Saturday with each of their four goals coming from different players.

“This team is very deep,” said Rockwood. “We can score from a lot of different areas and a lot of different people in a lot of different ways.”

With the win, No. 17 BYU (11-3-1, 7-1-1 WCC) finishes second in the WCC behind only No. 11 Santa Clara. The Cougars now await a potential at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and will learn of their post-season fate during the Division 1 women’s soccer selection show on Monday at 11 a.m. MDT.

The selection show can be live-streamed at NCAA.com.

Game Highlights

Senior Night

Natalie Clark-Ball and Josie Guinn-Gelalich bid farewell to South Field on Saturday as the team’s only two graduating players.

The following seniors will return for the fall 2021 season: Makaylie Call, Mikayla Colohan, Grace Johnson, Cassidy Smith and Cameron Tucker.

Scoring

Saturday’s win over Portland marks the Cougars’ sixth game this season scoring four goals or more and the program’s 53rd consecutive game with at least one goal scored.