BYU scores early goal, carries momentum to win over Dons

Thursday, October 10

San Francisco

7:00 p.m.

University of San Francisco

5-6-2, 0-2-0

Brigham Young

7-3-1, 1-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
BYU	2	0	2
San Francisco Dons	0	0	0

Photo by: Cole Stipovich

10/10/2013 9:32:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

SAN FRANCISCO—The Dons were burned early and late in the first half by BYU as the Cougars took a commanding early lead and carried it to the 2-0 West Coast Conference victory on Thursday night.

"We can't concede a goal five minutes into the match," San Francisco head coach Jim Millinder said. "It's poor. Our focus has to be better."

BYU (7-3-1, 1-0-0 WCC) got on the board early and in the fifth minute Niki Fernandes received a pass from Cloee Colohan about 10 yards from the goal and had her first shot blocked but the second she was able to float just over the head on Madalyn Schiffel to give them the 1-0 lead.

The Cougars almost added onto the lead in the seventh minute when off a corner kick Fernandes drilled a kick but it was prevented on a diving save by Schiffel.

BYU had another opening in the 29th minute. Marissa Nimmer broke free and had only Schiffel to beat but her shot has knocked away on a leaping attempt by the San Francisco goalkeeper. But the pressure from BYU finally took its toll in the 41st minute when Colohan booted a kick from about 20 yards oout and it found an opening just to the right of Schiffel to give BYU the 2-0 lead heading into the half.

It is the first time the Dons (5-6-2, 0-2-0) have allowed more than one goal in the first half.

The Dons did well to get into BYU territory but were unable to string together anything that presented a goal scoring opportunity.

"We built the game well but when we got to the final third, we really couldn't create any shots, create any dangerous situations," Millinder said. "At the end of the day we've got to continue to keep working on getting good chances, solid chances in the final third."

They were held to three shots on the night and were shutout for the fifth consecutive match. USF last found the net on Sept. 20 against Oregon.

Despite the loss, Millinder was pleased with the play of his younger players and thinks the play thus far from Ali Schaffer, Jessica Nakae, and Madalyn Schiffel could mean good things down the road.

"To come in and play against a senior team like BYU, it's an experience for them," he said. "A lot of these kids are getting hands-on experience right away and that's going to bode well for the program."

BYU has won nine of its last 10 WCC games and are 4-0 all-time against the Dons.

San Francisco will have a chance to rebound on Saturday when they host San Diego to wrap up its shirt two-game homestand.

Next match
Saturday, Oct. 12
Opponent: San Diego
Location: Negoesco Stadium
Time: 2 p.m.
Coverage: USFDons.com/LIVE, Game Notes