BYU Blanks Long Beach State to End Regular Season Undefeated at Home

PROVO -- The BYU women's soccer team shut out Long Beach State 4-0 Thursday night to end the regular season undefeated at home.

The Cougars (17-3, 5-1 conference) held the 49ers to seven shots to post their sixth shutout in seven games. The stingy Cougar defense held opponents to just two goals all season at home.

BYU was invincible in Provo this season, going 12-0 at home with 10 shutouts. This season marks the third year BYU has gone unbeaten at home, with the other two perfect home seasons occurring in 1996 and 1997.

BYU jumped out to an early lead against Long Beach State, scoring three of its four goals in the first 15 minutes. Sarah Higham connected on a pass from Kim Lowe, followed by two quick goals by Sara Reading. Senior All-American Maren Hendershot, playing in her final home game as a Cougar, then converted in the second half to make it 4-0.

Reading had two goals and an assist for the Cougars, while senior Karen Wunderli and Lowe each chalked up two assists. Higham finished with a goal and an assist.

"We came out really strong tonight," said BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood. "This was a great note to end the regular season on. It was a full team effort tonight."

Four graduating seniors were honored at Thursday night's game. Hendershot, Wunderli, Shannon Kimball and Leanne Johnson-Weaver all appeared in their final regular season games as Cougars.

Next up for BYU is the Mountain West Conference Championships Nov. 3-5 in Chula Vista, Calif. The Cougars are seeded second behind host San Diego State and first face seventh-seeded Wyoming.

BYU 4, WyomingBYU - Sarah Higham, 7:12 (assisted Kim Lowe)
BYU - Sara Reading, 11:47 (assisted by Karen Wunderli and Kim Lowe)
BYU - Sara Reading, 13:08 (assisted by Wunderli)
BYU - Maren Hendershot, 53:18 (assisted by Reading and Higham)