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PORTLAND, Ore. --- BYU's Ashley Hatch broke a scoreless tie with a goal in the 78th minute and the No. 24 Cougars would hold on from there to defeat the No. 6 Pilots 1-0 in a West Coast Conference women's soccer game played in front of 5,011 fans at Merlo Field on Saturday night. The win ends a 10-game winning streak for the Pilots, who are now 13-2-1 on the season and 5-1-0 in the WCC.
 
It's the sixth win for BYU in the past seven games, allowing the Cougars to match Portland's 5-1-0 league record, while improving to 11-4-1 overall.
 
The first half was played evenly, without either side gaining much of an advantage. The Cougars out-shot the Pilots 4-2 during the first 45 minutes, with Portland's shots coming from Danica Evans and Micaela Capelle.
 
The Cougars and Pilots continued their stalemate into the second half until Portland's Emily Sippel came off the bench to help spark the Portland attack in the 57th minute. The Pilots immediately reeled off three straight shots from Noelle La Prevotte, who had a pair, and Ellie Boon.
 
But BYU goalkeeper Erica Owens, the WCC's reigning player of the week, was up to the challenge, stopping one of La Prevotte's shots before making a save on an attempt by Evans moments later.
 
The Cougars then found the back of the net after center back Paige Hunt made a lengthy run down the left sideline. Hunt whipped a cross into the box, where Niki Fernandes was able to get a touch on the ball, redirecting it to Hatch. The freshman forward would then finish from five yards out to give the Cougars a one-goal lead.
 
The Pilots increased the pressure from there and nearly got the equalizer with only seconds remaining, but the shot off the foot of Capelle was just high of the crossbar.
 
Owens finished with the two saves for her third straight shutout and seventh on the season. It's the first shutout against the Pilots this fall and it's the third game-winner for Hatch.
 
Portland finished with a 10-9 advantage in shots, while goalkeeper Erin Dees made a pair of stops.

The crowd of 5,011 is the sixth largest crowd in program history at Merlo Field and it's the sixth time ever to crack the 5,000-fan plateau.
 
The Pilots have three games remaining and next travel to Moraga, Calif., for a WCC match against Saint Mary's on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.
 
Portland then returns home to finish the regular season against Santa Clara and San Francisco. The Santa Clara match at Merlo Field on Nov. 7 will be broadcast live nationally on ESPNU.