What no one at damp, chilly Ute Field realized - and how could they - was Larkin's goal was only the opening salvo. The Cougars scored five goals in the first 45 minutes, stunning Utah in a 5-0 drubbing that opened Mountain West Conference play for both women's soccer teams.

"We knew we would have to be at our very best," BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood said.

No kidding. BYU (8-5-0, 1-0-0 MWC) had three goals, two by Larkin, within 13 minutes of the opening whistle. Cougar goalie McKinzie Olson drove home the point that it was going to be the Cougars' night when she stonewalled Lauren Hair's penalty kick with 29 minutes to play in the first half.

"We did a great job of attacking down the wing," said BYU forward Lauren Anderson, who scored the Cougars' third goal and assisted on the fifth. "They're not an experienced defense, so we ran at them."

BYU hadn't scored five goals in a game since pounding Utah State 5-0 in 2005, while the Utes (4-7-2, 0-1-0) hadn't been beaten this badly since the Cougars ran away with a 6-1 decision in the 2000 MWC Tournament.

"Great job BYU," was all Utah coach Rich Manning could say afterward, lauding the Cougars' passion and precision shooting. "We just didn't respond."

Manning felt that even when BYU led 3-0 there were goals to be had, that the Utes could climb back into the contest. The Cougars didn't let them.

Becca Riddle made it 4-0 in the 34th minute, slotting a rebound into the Utah net. Katie Hodgkiss scored the final goal 90 seconds later.

martyr@sltrib.com