LOGAN, Utah - No. 1 BYU women’s soccer (7-1-1) suffered its first loss of the season to Utah State (3-5-1), 1-0.
The game was a physical showing on both sides of the pitch, with 24 total fouls and two cards being issued to BYU players.
Despite outshooting the Aggies 12-11, BYU was unable to put the ball in the back of the net for a goal. The Cougars had six shots on frame to Utah State’s four.
First Half
The Cougars started strong straight from the whistle, keeping possession on the pitch and seeing several chances on goal in the first 10 minutes of play.
In the 15th minute, Utah State earned a free kick right outside the 18-yard box, sending the ball high over the net for a BYU goal kick.
BYU continued to press Utah State’s backline, with a run up the right side of the pitch by Olivia Smith-Griffitts and a cross into the box for an Allie Fryer shot that rolled into the hands of USU goalkeeper Diera Walton.
Despite holding possession for the majority of the first half, the Cougars were held to just four shots, one of which was on frame. Utah State tallied three shots of its own heading into halftime.
Second Half
In the 51st minute, the Aggies took the ball down the spine of the field and forward Summer Diamond put it in the back of the net, putting Utah State in the lead, 1-0.
BYU gained some momentum with a pair of shots by Allie Fryer and Rachel McCarthy, both collected by USU’s goalkeeper.
The Cougars pressed hard in the final minutes of the game, but were unable to capitalize on their goal-scoring opportunities. BYU suffered its first loss of the season to Utah State, 1-0.
BYU next takes the field against Baylor for its first conference game on the road on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. MT. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.