Rockwood wins 300th game 2-0 over San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO - The No. 22 BYU women's soccer team scored in the first five minutes and the last five minutes of the first half before going on to win 2-0 over San Francisco on Thursday night.

The win is head coach Jennifer Rockwood's 300th career victory and it is the Cougars (7-3-1, 1-0-0) first in conference play this season. Rockwood is the seventh BYU head coach over all sports to win 300 games and is the fifth Division-I coach to do so all at the same institution.

"It is a tribute to her consistency and staying power in a profession where most coaches can't imagine this type of longevity," BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said.

Senior forward Niki Fernandes scored the first goal in the fifth minute as Cloee Colohan came away with a rebound and found Fernandes in the box. She looped a shot over the keeper and into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. Ashley Hatch also assisted on the goal which was Fernandes' first of the season.

Colohan scored BYU's second goal as a pass across the top of the box from Miranda Bailey gave her an open window. Colohan fired to the far post across her body and beat the keeper for a 2-0 lead in the 40th minute. Colohan scored a goal and made an assist for the second straight game, accomplishing the feat against Baylor last Friday. Colohan is now tied for the team lead in goals with three. Rachel Manning and Ashley Hatch have also scored three goals this season.

The Cougars consistently created chances totaling 14 shots, eight on goal. Fernandes almost added a second goal in the first half and totaled three shots with two on goal. Marissa Nimmer led the team in shots on goal with three. She put all of her shots on goal and made San Francisco keeper Madalyn Schiffel make half of her saves to keep Nimmer's shots out of goal. Manning and Colette Jepson Smith also took multiple shots.

In goal for BYU, Erica Owens didn't have to make a save on the way to the team's fourth shutout of the season. She was tested on a few crosses and corner kicks, but the Dons (5-6-2, 0-2-0) didn't get a shot off until the 70th minute and never put one on goal.

"It was a great performance by our defense," Rockwood said. "The back line and our holding midfielders stayed aggressive, pressured the ball and didn't allow them close to our goal."

The Cougars next play No. 18 Santa Clara at Buckshaw Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 2 p.m. MDT. The Broncos beat San Diego at home 1-0 Thursday night.