BYU soccer: Cougars advance to title game

SAN DIEGO — With a 2-0 shutout victory over San Diego State on Thursday, the No. 18-ranked BYU women's soccer team advanced to Saturday's Mountain West Conference tournament championship.

"It was a fantastic effort today from the team," said BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood. "I'm proud of the girls and how they stuck through for the win."

Forward Carlee Payne started things off early for the Cougars when she turned on the speed and took the ball past the Aztecs' defense to go one-on-one with goalkeeper Aubree Southwick, who came out to meet Payne. But Payne had already taken her shot and nailed it in the back of the net to put BYU up 1-0 in the first half.

The Cougars are now 11-0 this season when they score first against their opponent.

BYU secured the victory and its berth in the conference finals when midfielder Lauren Anderson took a corner in the 76th minute and got the ball right around the near post for the game winner.

The win marked the eighth season shutout victory for BYU goalkeeper McKinzie Olson, who recorded four saves in the game. BYU finished with 12 shots to the Aztec's eight. Kassidy Shumway and Jessica Ringwood both tallied a team-high three shots for the Cougars with Sara Halverson recording two for San Diego State

The Cougars will now play the top-seeded New Mexico Lobos at 1 p.m. on Saturday.