Recording its biggest win since 2005, the BYU women's soccer team dominated rival Utah in Salt Lake City, annihilating the Utes 5-0 Saturday night.

The Cougars scored all five goals in the first half, the most goals in one half since BYU smoked San Diego State 9-2 in 2002 and also scored five in the first period.

Senior All American Katie Larkin scored her first goals since injuring her wrist last month, putting the Cougars up 2-0 in the first eight minutes of the game. Larkin was assisted by senior Amanda Draeger, blasting a shot from 22 yards out for the score, one of eight shots on the day. Three minutes later, Larkin converted a penalty kick earned when sophomore Kassidy Christensen was taken down in the box. The goals were Larkin's fifth and sixth of the season.

Sophomore Becca Riddle earned her first goal of the year in the 34th minute, converting a rebound off the post on a shot by junior Alyssa Vander Veur.

"We knew that we were going to have to come out very strong against a good Utah team, and we did," BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "We were able to have some success, and the girls played very well."

In all, BYU outshot the Utes 17-9 in the first half, blistering the Utah goal for 45 minutes straight. Freshman Lauren Anderson added a goal in the 13th minute, hitting a shot after receiving a pass from junior Kelsea Kakadelas. Anderson returned the favor on a corner kick, finding senior Katie Hodgkiss for a header to cap off the scoring.

"This was a big win for us," Rockwood said. "We're glad to start off conference play with a win. It's a long season, but we're looking forward to the next game."

After freshman McKinzie Olson played solid in goal in the first half, sophomore Aleena Shelton picked up right where the freshman left off in the second, keeping the Utes from cutting into the lead.

The game begins the second year of the Deseret First Duel, which pits 12 BYU and Utah sports teams against each other over the course of the year. BYU claimed the first six points of the Duel with the win.

"The Deseret First Duel serves as an avenue to formalize the rivalry between BYU and Utah," said Darrell Kirby, Deseret First Credit Union spokesperson. "It's establishing tradition. We're happy to be a sponsor; it's a win-win-win for all three participants."

In addition to an overall trophy, individual sports are also awarded a piece of Deseret First Duel hardware based on head-to-head matchups.



Copyright Brigham Young University 6 Oct 2008