It only took seven minutes for BYU's Elena Medeiros bury a shot into Portland's net on Saturday night. BYU would go on to win the game 2-1 win. With the win, No. 6 BYU advances 2-0 in conference, while the Pilots drop to 0-2.
Eight minutes later, Portland junior Ariel Viera was able to cross the ball into the goal box to ricochet off a BYU defender and into the net, tying the score 1-1.
In minute 27, Cougars’ Michele Murphy Vasconcelos tried to create a shot off a fast break past the Pilots’ defense, but her shot was blocked. In response, Pilot senior Noelle La Prevotte came close to scoring at minute 33, but Cougars’ defense cut her off. La Prevotte put another shot up in minute 39, but missed by inches.
“I knew their defense was fast,” La Prevotte said. “So I wanted to get there as quick as I could...I wish I could’ve gotten another touch in [before sending the ball].”
As the first half wound down, BYU’s Nadia Gomes made an unassisted goal at the 40th minute, giving the Cougars a 2-1 lead into half time.
During the second half, the Pilots were more aggressive and came closer to the Cougars’ net, creating more chances on goal but couldn't find the equalizer.
“You know I think we had our moments and they had their moments and they knew how to capitalize more of their shots,” La Prevotte said.
Olga Gomez is a sports writer for The Beacon. She can be reached at gomez18@up.edu.
