PORTLAND, Ore. --- The No. 4 Brigham Young Cougars scored twice in the first half before holding on for a 2-0 win over the Portland Pilots in a West Coast women's soccer game played on Wednesday night at Merlo Field. The win allows the Cougars to remain one of just two unbeaten teams in the nation.
 
The Pilots (4-5-4, 0-3-2 WCC) were aggressive early, and in the fourth minute they nearly put one in. Taryn Ries had possession near the end-line and sent a perfectly placed cross in front of the frame. Larkin Russell was there, but she couldn't quite get a solid touch on it as her attempt went wide.
 
The Cougars (14-0-1, 4-0-1 WCC) then took the lead with their first goal in the 20th minute. Lizzy Braby gained possession at the top of the 18 and connected with Elise Flake, who was near the six-yard box. Flake did well with her first touch to control it before burying a shot into the top shelf, giving the visiting side a 1-0 edge.
 
BYU pushed their advantage to two goals when Ashton Brockbank found the back of the net with a shot from about 25 yards out. She received a pass from Tucker Cameron, looked up field, and hit one that took deflected off the Portland keeper before going in.
 
The Pilots looked to provide the answer moments when Jamie Rita put a decent attempt on-frame. From just outside the area, Rita hit a left-footed shot with pace that nearly made it past the keeper, but Sabrina Davis made a leaping save as the Cougars took their 2-0 lead into the break.
 
Portland continued to create chances in the second half, and in the 55th minute Natalie Muth played a long ball over the top that Kimberly Hazlett ran onto. Hazlett then sent a strike just wide of the left post from about 15 yards out.
 
Minutes later Rita put another strike on-target. This time she hit a high shot that the keeper was able to collect, and the game would soon end with the visiting side claiming the shutout.
 
Davis finished with the two stops for the Cougars, while Portland's Jenny Wahlen and Madison Zamora combined to make three saves on the night.
 
The Pilots remain at home to host the San Francisco Dons on Saturday night. The WCC match at Merlo Field will begin at 7:30 p.m., and it will be preceded by a men's game against Santa Clara.