PROVO, Utah—The members of the Gonzaga University women's soccer team knew they had a tough task ahead of them Saturday night in playing at 23rd-ranked BYU, and they rose to the occasion for much of the match. The Cougars found the net twice in the span of four minutes in the second half, however, and downed the Zags 2-0 on South Field in Provo, Utah.
"I was impressed with the team's competitiveness for the entire match, especially the first half," said head coach Amy Edwards. "We saw a lot of positives, but the four-minute span with giving up two goals was tough to overcome, even with our dangerous chances in the last ten minutes. I am certain this experience today will make us better for our remaining five games."
The Zag defense held strong for the match's first 60 minutes, denying the Cougars multiple times throughout the first half and well into the second. Seven of Christie Tombari's nine saves—equaling a season high—came during that stretch, some of them stunning saves. One of those came in 21st minute when the junior denied Ashley Hatch's attempt from the center of the box. The Zag keeper jammed her hand up to meet the rising ball, pushing the shot over the crossbar and out of play.
In the 40th minute, Tombari made an even better save, getting her fingertips on a shot from Nadia Gomes. The keeper didn't get much of the ball, but she still redirected it wide right and out of play to preserve the scoreless draw.
Zags had an opportunity near the end of the half when Heather Johnson tested BYU keeper Katherine Snyder with a shot from distance. The low ball sailed out of bounds just left of the net and out for a goal kick, however.
BYU broke through the Zag defense in the 60th minute when Elena Medeiros found the back of the net. She rushed up the left side of the box with the ball, and Tombari came out to the near post to cut of Medeiros' angle. Despite the narrow opening at the far post, Medeiros placed the shot just past Tombari's outstretched hand and into the net from off the post.
The Cougars got another goal three minutes later, that one a bit unlucky towards the Zags. Michelle Murphy ripped a shot that bounced off the post and then off Tombari before heading into the net.
Gonzaga found its offensive rhythm a bit in the second half, taking six of nine shots in the final 45 minutes, including all three GU shots on goal. The Zag offense swarmed in the final 10 minutes trying to knock a ball in, but three after three shots and a couple more dangerous opportunities, nothing found the net. Johnson led Gonzaga with three attempts while Brittany Doan offered up two, one of which was on frame.
Even with the loss, the Bulldogs (8-6-0, 3-1-0 WCC) remain in second place in the conference standings. They will next return to the friendly confines of Luger Field in Spokane, Wash., for two matches, but not before a well-deserved weekend off from competition. The Zags begin their next homestand by hosting Loyola Marymount on Friday, Oct. 24 at 3:00 p.m.
