All-American Aleisha Cramer scores twice in MWC Opener

LAS VEGAS -- Aleisha Cramer scored twice to help No. 21 BYU defeat UNLV 3-1 in their first Mountain West Conference game of the season, Thursday. The win improved the Cougars to 7-4-1 and 1-0 in conference play while the loss drops UNLV to 6-4-2.

Even though the Cougars out shot the Rebels 11-5 in the first half, the scored remained tied at 0-0 until Cramer scored her first goal 38 minutes into the game on a penalty kick. UNLV scored less than two minutes later with a penalty kick of their own to tie the game 1-1 heading into the half.

Strong defense by both teams kept the scored tied until the final 12 minutes of play. Hoping to avoid their third consecutive overtime game, Cramer notched her second goal of the night with a nice header off a corner kick from Kelly Hunsberger to put the Cougars up 2-1. Nominated for the Herman Trophy earlier this year, Cramer now has five goals this season and leads the team with 13 points.

Jeni WIlliardson Viernes scored her fourth goal of the season to seal the victory with only five minutes left in regulation off an assist from Jennie Christianson.

BYU will conclude it's west coast road trip on Saturday at San Diego State in a 1:00 PT scheduled kickoff.

Scoring: 
BYU-Aleisha Cramer, 37:45 (penalty kick) 
UNLV-Cristyn Enea, 39:20 (penalty kick) 
BYU-Aleisha Cramer, 78:33 (Kelly Hunsberger, assist) 
BYU-Jeni W. Viernes, 84:40 (Jennie Christianson, assist) 
Shots: 
BYU-20, UNLV-7 
Saves: 
BYU-Jennifer Waldron-4, UNLV-Alice Gleason-10