Conference victory on the road
PORTLAND, Ore. - The No. 5 BYU women's soccer team won 2-1 on the road, Saturday, over West Coast Conference powerhouse Portland, a team they had previously beaten just three times in the schools' seven meetings.
The Cougars recorded their 14th-straight double-digit shot performance of the year and 12th-straight unbeaten game. BYU is now 13-1-1 on the year and 2-0-1 in WCC action.
BYU's hard work on offense paid off in the 33rd minute with a goal from Jessica Ringwood. Senior Dana Oldroyd Cusick dribbled past four Pilot defenders and took a shot that was batted away by Portland's goalkeeper. Ringwood followed up on the ball and scored the first goal of the night to put BYU up 1-0.
Portland immediately went on the attack and got two good looks at the goal but BYU goalkeeper Erica Owens came up every time with big saves. BYU went into halftime leading 1-0.
Back from the half, freshman Michele Murphy gave BYU its gamewinner in the 57th minute off a pass from Carlee Payne Holmoe. The goal was Murphy's seventh of the season.
Junior Kendall Johnson scored Portland's lone goal in the 80th minute as the Pilots tried for a comeback. BYU's defense and Owens in goal, however, were able to keep the Pilots from scoring again to keep the 2-1 victory.
The Pilots recorded 12 total shots to BYU's 11 with Amanda Frisbie leading all players with four shots.
The Cougars return home next week with a game against Gonzaga on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. MT.