BYU Women's Soccer: Cougars beat up #23 Long Beach State

After finding their offense in a loss to LSU on Thursday, the Cougars came back and beat the 23rd ranked 49ers by a score of 2-0 and improved to 2-3-2 on the season. .  BYU controlled the game from start to finish as they almost doubled up Long Beach State in shots and in shots on goal.  In the first half the Cougars led six shots to three, while the second ended eight shots to four.  About the only stat that wasn't won by the Cougars was the saves as LBSU saved five to the Cougars four.

BYU had a number of chances early in the game but finally started the scoring in the 30th minute as Ashley Hatch put a header past the goal keeper, off a Marissa Nimmer corner kick.  The goal would be the third goal of the season for Hatch and Nimmer would get the assist.  The Hatch goal would be the only points of the half for either team so the Cougars took the 1-0 lead into the locker room.

The Cougars stayed aggressive in the second half as they found ways to force shots and put pressure on the 49er defense.  Both goalies kept the ball out of the net for most of the half, leading to a close game until the 74th minute when Hatch again found the back of the next for a 2-0 Cougar lead.  Hatch now has four goals on the season as she tries to lead an offense that may be starting to live up to their potential.  Long Beach State had a chance to pull within one in the 83rd minute but a missed penalty kick kept the 49ers scoreless until the final whistle.  The teams played relatively clean soccer as neither team was awarded a yellow or red card.

BYU will next face Oregon at South Field on Thursday, September 18th at 7 pm MDT.  The game will available on BYUtv and on the IMG Radio Sports Network.