Fernandes' two goals lead BYU past Colorado College

PROVO, Utah – Niki Fernandes scored a career-high two goals in the first half to lead BYU women’s soccer to a 4-0 defeat of Colorado College Saturday night at South Field.

The win improves the Cougars to 4-3-2, while the Tigers fell to 4-2-2.

“We’ve been working hard the last couple weeks to find our groove, to find our rhythm and find our confidence,” BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. “I think we have accomplished a lot of those goals the last couple weeks.”

Fernandes’ first goal came in the fifth minute when a Marissa Nimmer cross was headed by Elisabeth Phillips and then headed again by Fernandes to the upper corner of the goal.

In the 22nd minute, Ashley Hatch crossed a ball that a sliding Fernandes touched past the off-balanced Colorado College goalie’s fingertips to extend the lead to 2-0.

In the 40th minute, a Tiger defender earned a yellow card when she collided with Hatch. On the ensuing free kick, Nimmer kicked a high arching shot that dropped right in front of the goal. The ball glanced off the goalkeeper's fingertips and into the goal before a Colorado College defender clear it. The goal gave BYU a commanding 3-0 lead going to the half.

The final goal of the night came early in the second half off a penalty kick. In the 56th minute, a Colorado College defender was given a yellow card for taking down Michele Murphy inside the box. Murphy took her penalty kick and sent the shot to the far corner of the goal beyond the outstretched arms of the Tiger keeper.

“Niki’s been continually getting better and better,” Rockwood said. “Her and Murphy were very anxious to score goals. They hadn’t scored yet this season, so for them to get a goal for this game as we head out on the road is great.”

Hatch led the team in shots with five, while Nimmer and Murphy each had four. As a team the Cougars took 20 shots and put 10 of those on goal. Goalkeepers Katherine Snyder and Hannah Clark combined on their third shutout together and the team's fourth of the season.

BYU head on the road for a game next Thursday, Sept. 25 against Denver at 7 p.m. MDT. The game will be broadcast on Altitude and can be heard on the Cougar IMG Sports Network on BYUCougars.com and the BYU Cougars app.