BYU soccer: Cougars thump Hokies in NCAA opening round

PROVO — After a Kassidy Christensen goal put BYU up 1-0 at halftime, an injured Katie Larkin put the game out of reach in the second half of the Cougars' physical 2-0 win over Virginia Tech in the first round of the NCAA Women's College Cup played Thursday at South Field.

"We knew we had to come out strong," BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "We knew Virginia Tech was going to be an outstanding team, as they showed tonight."

Playing in front of a Cougar home crowd, a jumping Larkin collected a goal kick near

midfield in the 39th minute and with a quick header, redirected the ball toward a streaking Christensen. A clear path to the Virginia Tech goal before her, Christensen used a nifty move to get Hokie keeper Kristin Carden diving off balance before poking her goal into the right bottom corner to put BYU up 1-0.

"I tried to stay calm and composed," Christensen said. "And then just (took) an easy shot to the corner."

In the 77th minute, with a set of fresh legs under her, Becca Riddle took the ball deep past the Virginia Tech defense before crossing to the middle where she found Alyssa Vander Veur. Vander Veur drew in the Hokie defense before slipping the ball to an open, limping Larkin who chipped the goal into the right corner to put BYU up 2-0. Larkin, who had just checked into the game with Riddle after coming up lame in the first half, then checked back out for the rest of the game.

"I think that the people who were in for me ran (the defense) down so I could just come in and do my part," Larkin said.

Despite steady pressure from the Virginia Tech offense throughout the the game, BYU's defense, led by veteran defenders Jessica Carter and Andrea Willis and freshman keeper McKenzie Olsen, held fast. The Hokies managed eight corners to BYU's three, but the Cougars outshot Virginia Tech 13-7.

"Defensively we felt strong, just like we did all year," Rockwood said. "McKenzie came up with a couple of big-time saves in there."

Virginia Tech forward Emily Jukich, who scored 15 goals this season for the Hokies, didn't manage a shot, as the BYU defense took particular interest in keeping their eyes on her.

"I reminded Andrea and Jess that they needed to know where she was at all times," Rockwood said. "She is such a dangerous player."

With the win, BYU turns its attention to USC for a second-round matchup slated for noon on Saturday. Earlier Thursday, the Trojans defeated Boston University 2-0 at South Field in their first-round contest.

---

E-MAIL: jdavis@desnews.com

BYU 2

VaTech 0