For the first time since 2002 the BYU women's soccer team was crowned Mountain West Conference tournament champion when it beat UNLV 2-1 at home on Saturday. The win assures the Cougars a berth in the 2007 NCAA women's soccer tournament.

Four BYU players were named to the MWC All- Tournament team, including junior forward Katie Fellows who was also the tournament MVP. Senior forward Carolyn Swenson, Junior Forward Katie Larkin and Sophomore defender Andrea Willis were also named to the tall- Tournament team.

Fellows was responsible for both goals scored for the Cougars but was only credited with the game winner. The first goal for the Cougars was recorded as an own goal by UNLV, but it came off a header by Fellows.

"It has been a long season and I've been waiting a long time to put some goals in the net," Fellows said. "Coach called me today and said 'today is going to be your day' and it was."

The win was especially sweet for BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood, who has endured some disappointing finishes over the past two years. Both in 2005 and 2006 the Cougars lost in the first rounds of the MWC and NCAA tournaments.

"There is a huge weight off the back of our program now," she said. "Even though we've had some of our best teams these last two seasons we have fallen short at the end. Ever since our loss to Portland last year, this team has been determined to win a championship."

However, as the regular season came to an end it looked like the Cougars would have another unlucky end to their season. With a chance to claim the regular season championship, BYU lost a heartbreaker to UNLV in Las Vegas 1-0.

But the Cougars would not be denied this time, making it to the finals with a chance for revenge against the team that took away their regular season title. The Rebels won the last three tournament championships, and were ready to give BYU all they had.

When the game began it was obvious it would be a hard-fought battle. Both teams played excellent defense, limiting scoring opportunities. UNLV had the best opportunity of the first half.

With only three minutes left in the half, UNLV's Haley Partridge broke free past the Cougar defense. Senior goalie Erika Woodbury made a heads-up play and left the goal to meet Partridge at the top of the box. Partridge fired a shot but it was blocked by Woodbury and the score stayed tied 0-0 at the half.

All season Rockwood said the goals would fall when the team needed them, and in the second half they did.

Just three minutes after the break the Cougars found the net. Fellows moved the ball up the far left side of the field and passed it to Larkin. Larkin beat two Rebel defenders with some fancy footwork and proceeded toward the end line, but was fouled by a UNLV defender.

That set up a free kick for Swenson who sent a perfect pass to Fellows. Fellows hit a header to the goal, but UNLV's goalie, Alicia Lugo, was able to get a hand on it. The ball glanced off the side post and looked to go in but a UNLV defender still tried to clear the ball only to have it bounce off the post again and into the goal.

Down 1-0 in the second half, UNLV started playing much more aggressive on offense, taking more chances on their passes. This set up the Cougars' next score.

In the 68th minute the Rebels were pushing the ball forward into Cougar territory when Fellows intercepted a pass. From there she did it all herself, advancing past UNLV's midfield. With the other BYU forwards streaking down the sides of the field, Fellows took the ball to the center and sent a shot from the top of the box to the lower left corner past a diving Lugo. But UNLV was not going to fold.

Just five minutes later the Rebels again were deep in BYU's territory. UNLV's leading scorer Katie Carney had the ball inside the penalty box when she was fouled by junior defender Jessica Harmon-Carter. This gave the Rebels a penalty kick. Carney took the kick, putting her shot to the upper right side of the goal past a diving Woodbury.

With the margin back to one goal the Cougar defense tightened up, limiting any further scoring opportunities for the Rebels. As the final seconds ticked off, the entire team rushed the field and embraced in triumph.

Up next for BYU is the 2007 NCAA tournament. Tournament selections will be Monday at 6 p.m., deciding the seeds, times and locations of tournament games.

Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Nov 2007