Marquette University
BYU
No. 11/10 BYU Tops Marquette 2-1
9/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 11, 2010
PROVO, Utah - Despite a hard fought effort by the Marquette University women's soccer team, the Golden Eagles could not overcome a two goal first-half deficit and fell at No. 11/10 BYU, 2-1, Saturday night at South Stadium. With the win, the Cougars remain undefeated at 6-0-1, while the Golden Eagles fall to 3-3-2 overall.
Rachel Brown scored MU's lone goal in the 84th minute.
"Tonight was an incomplete effort on our behalf and we are left with disappointing feeling," said head coach Markus Roeders. "We made some fundamental mistakes based on what BYU does well and got punished early. Credit to the team for playing with more resolve in the second half and winning the last 45 minutes. BYU is an outstanding team and deservingly ranked in the top 10, but our team isn't far behind them. We have to continue to find our consistency and finish those chances. Tonight, we hit the post and crossbar again, and it is becoming a way too familiar feeling for us."
Lindsi Lisonbee put BYU on the board early in the first half at the 1:12 mark. The Cougars were awarded a corner kick and Lisonbee was able to get on the end of the service from Lauren Anderson.
Lynda Hercules made it 2-0 in favor of BYU in the 35th minute.
Looking for a comeback, the Golden Eagles continued to pressure in the second half and put three shots on goal before Brown found the back of the net at the 83:46 mark.
Off a corner kick, Katie Hishmeh found Brown near the far post and Brown struck the ball through a crowd of BYU defenders for the score.
Following Brown's goal, Marquette kept up its attack and launched three more shots, including one by Ashley Bares that hit the crossbar, but the Golden Eagles were unable to convert any of their chances.
Natalie Kulla was credited with five saves, while McKinzie Olson registered four for the game. Overall, Marquette owned a slight edge in the shots column, 14-13.
"We have learned a lot in these last few weeks and now it is time to turn the page and focus on BIG EAST play. All these non-conference games will have helped us prepare for USF and beyond," said Roeders.
The Golden Eagles will begin their BIG EAST American Division title defense Friday, Sept. 17 at USF. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT/7:30 p.m. ET.
