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PROVO — BYU women's soccer is out to prove that forwards don't have all the fun.
For the second consecutive match, a center back found her goal scoring boots. With recent injuries to attacking midfielder Halle Dixon and forward Erin Bailey, the Cougars will take goals where ever they can get them.
Avery Frischknecht scored her first goal of the season, and BYU handed Arizona State their first loss of the year 1-0 in a Big 12 opener for both schools Thursday night in front of an announced crowd of 3,826 fans at South Field.
Sierra Pennock assisted on the lone goal for BYU (3-3-2, 1-0 Big 12) in Lynette Hernaez's third shutout of the season.
BYU controlled possession early in the teams' first time facing each other in regular-season play since 2005, forcing ASU goalkeeper Pauline Nelles into four saves in the first 40 minutes. That included a rip from Sierra Pennock in the 42nd minute that Nelles tapped over the bar, and sent out for a corner kick to set up the go-ahead goal.
Pennock whipped one in from the corner that caromed off Frischknecht's chest for a 1-0 lead, a goal from a starting center back for the second consecutive match after Tara Warner scored during a 4-2 loss at then-No. 6 Arkansas on the weekend.
"It was surreal," Frischknecht said of her first career collegiate goal. "I feel so grateful to be on this team, and to get that goal finally. It was a great ball in from Sierra Pennock, and I saw it go over the back line and hit it with my stomach. Whatever works, right?
For BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood, it couldn't be more fitting pair of goal scorers, either.
"Avery and Tara have been our leaders on the field, and they've played phenomenal so far this season," Rockwood said. "For them to get involved in the attack is super exciting. Avery's been waiting to score a goal for a while; she's promised me one, and it came at a very key time. I'll take it."
The Cougars out-shot the Sun Devils 12-3 before the break and put the only five shots on target of the first half.
Caroline Stringfellow appeared to double the advantage in the 65th minute. But the former Syracuse High star's would-be strike following Lucy Kesler's corner kick was called back for offside.
The Sun Devils found more of the ball in the second half, putting a shot on goal each through Keri Matthews and Cameron Valladares.
But Hernaez parried them both, and BYU held the same Arizona State side that out-shot Utah Tech 21-7 in a 2-1 win Sunday afternoon to just eight shots to clinch the win after a 2-3-2 run through nonconference play.
The Cougars will travel to Big 12 contender TCU next Thursday before returning home Sept. 23 against in-state rival Utah.
"TCU is always such a tough place to play," Rockwood said. "They've been very successful, playing at the highest level with great athletes, great coaches, and I know they're off to a great start. It's a tough place to play ... and we're just going to have to try to keep the ball.
"We'll enjoy this win, and then start focusing on TCU."
