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BYU Advances to Elite Eight
Connecticut next up for Cougars.
Nov. 24, 2003
VILLANOVA, Pa. - In a game of firsts for the BYU women's soccer team, the Cougars defeated the No. 15 Villanova Wildcats in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Women's Championships. With the win the Cougars advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history and they notched the win with the program's first penalty-kick shootout. "We prepared for a penalty kick finish all week," said BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood. "It is an exciting win for our team and our seniors." Villanova and BYU reached the shootout after playing to a 0-0 double overtime draw. For the Wildcats the shootout was their fourth in five games whereas the Cougars were looking at the first shootout in the program's nine-year history. Rockwood chose to go with junior keeper Mandy Gott, replacing sophomore Ashley Smith who had recorded her eighth shutout of the season with five saves in the game. "We knew coming in the Mandy would be our girl if we went into a shootout, that decision was made before the conference tournament," said Rockwood. "I live for shootouts," said Gott, "I can just tell where the ball is going to go." And tell she could, Gott stopped Villanova's Kelly Breslin and was within inches of making a stop on the previous three kickers. "I knew where every one of the balls was going to go," said Gott. Rockwood added, "She has an amazing ability to read the shooter." With the stop the Cougars were up 4-3, yet would need one more goal to ensure the win. Freshman Nicole Jensen came through for the Cougars as her shot froze Villanoza's keeper Chrissy Dolan and Jensen's shot zipped into the right side of the net giving BYU their first ever Sweet 16 victory. "I didn't really feel any pressure," said Jensen. "I had never missed a penalty kick before," she said referring to her club and high school years.
In the first period of play it took the Cougars a few minutes to find their rhythm as the Wildcats came out strong, controlling possession and pushing the ball up the field.
Through the first 45 minutes neither team was able to gain an edge to put the ball into the net. Despite out shooting the Wildcats 7-3, BYU was unable to get the early goal that set the tone for the game in the Cougars' previous two NCAA wins. The second half of the game played out much the same as the first period as the Cougars and Wildcats battled each other to another scoreless half. At the end of regulation BYU had out shot Villanova 16-9 including a 6-4 advantage for shots-on-goal. With nearly 10 minutes remaining in regulation the Cougars had their best opportunity to score as sophomore Jaime Rendich passed the ball to senior Lydia Ojuka inside the Villanova box. Ojuka turned and found junior Krissa Campbell on the right side, but Campbell's touch on the ball sailed just high of the goal. In the first overtime the Cougars seemed to pick up their intensity and kept the ball on Villanova's side of the field. In doing so, BYU out shot the Wildcats 2-0 with both shots being on-goal, however, the Cougars were still unable to get the ball between the pipes. The second overtime proved to be the same thing as the Cougars refused to give up any ground to the Wildcats and kept possession of the ball on the Wildcats' field. Once again the Cougars did not give up a single shot to the Wildcats in the overtime. Going into the shootout the Cougars switched keepers replacing Smith with Gott and Villanova stuck with Dolan who had only allowed 12 goals in 25 games this season and was 3-0 in shootouts. BYU would attempt first with junior Krissa Campbell taking the first shot for the Cougars. Campbell's shot flew past Dolan on the right side giving BYU the 1-0 edge. Villanova would answer back to tie the shootout at one apiece. Senior All-American Aleisha Rose put the Cougars ahead 2-1 with her shot into the right side of the net. Villanova's next attempt was blocked by Gott but was called back as the referee said Gott had moved forward before the kick, the second attempt was within inches of being stopped again but tied it up a 2-2. Both Jaime Rendich and Brooke Thulin hit their tries putting BYU up 4-3. On Villanova's next attempt Gott came up with the stop that would set the Cougars up for the win as she read Breslin's shot and knocked away the ball. With the game now on the line Jensen stepped up and propelled the Cougars into the Elite Eight with a rocket into the right side of the net that left Villanova's Dolan standing still. The Cougars will take on Connecticut, a 5-0 winner over Micigan. Date, time and location are TBD. |
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