Upset over #11 Long Beach St.

PROVO, Utah - The BYU women's soccer team upset No. 11 Long Beach State 1-0 in its 2012 home opener, Thursday, on a goal by senior Carlee Payne Holmoe.

“This was a solid performance by our entire team,” head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. “We came and battled hard, stayed focused and our attacking group created great opportunites all game. I am really happy for Carlee, she practices those penalty kicks every day.”

This was the first victory against a ranked opponent since beating No. 14 Northwestern in 2010.

The goal by Holmoe was her first of the season and came with just nine minutes left in the second half on a penalty kick. The goal was set up by Niki Fernandes who was fouled in the box.

In a back and forth first half, the 49ers were held scoreless through the first 45 minutes for just the second time this season. This is the first time this year that the Cougars have been tied with their opponent at halftime.

Aggressive play led to nine Cougar shots and two corner kicks in the first half while the 49ers were held to just one shot and one corner kick.

"Our defense did a great job of shutting down their forwards," Rockwood said. "Lindsi (Lisonbee Cutshall) has always been a strong presence for us in the back and tonight it really showed."

BYU's defense, anchored by Hermann Trophy Candidate Cutshall, held Long Beach State's attack to just four total shots in the game and its leading scorer, Nadia Link, to only one shot. Link is also a Hermann Trophy Candidate. 

The pace picked up in the second half with the Cougars creating a couple of early scoring chances and finishing with 11 more shots for a total of 20. This is BYU's second-straight game with 20, or more, shots. 

The Cougars continue soccer action at home hosting Colorado College on Saturday at 7 p.m.  The game will be broadcast live on BYUtv and will be the first of six women's soccer game of the 2012 season.

Fans can watch the game live on TV or online for free at byutvsports.com/gameday. Live stats are also available through the BYU women's soccer schedule page. 

The game can also be followed on the BYU women's soccer Twitter page. 

Order your tickets for the game and the rest of the season online now.

The attendance for the game was 1,872.