NORMAN, Okla. – BYU women’s soccer (13-1-3, Big 12 6-0-3) closed out its conference road play with a 2-0 win over Oklahoma Monday night, going a perfect 5-0 on the road in the Cougars' first season in the Big 12 Conference.
"Really proud of our girls for getting that third shutout in a row," said head coach Jennifer Rockwood. "That is something we have talked about a lot this season, and our defense did a fantastic job tonight. Oklahoma is a very dangerous, very direct team, which is really hard to contain, so I thought our backline did a great job with that."
Despite being outshot 13-10 by the Sooners, the Cougars had the advantage with goals in the 43rd and 72nd minute to earn their seventh shutout of the season and third in a row. The last time BYU had three straight shutouts was back in 2021, notching wins against Portland (3-0), Pepperdine (1-0) and New Mexico (6-0).
Freshman goalkeeper Lynette Hernaez recorded a new career-high seven saves against Oklahoma, claiming her third shutout of the season and second in a row.
Senior forward Rachel McCarthy, in just her second game back in the lineup since dislocating her elbow, notched her fifth goal and first assist of the season. Sophomore Ellie Walbruch scored her eighth goal of the season, with five coming in the last seven games for the Cougars.
Playing in her 99th career game, senior midfielder Jamie Shepherd now stands atop the BYU record book for most games played by any women’s soccer player in program history. She notched a key assist on the first Cougar goal.
Sierra Pennock and Brecken Mozingo also tallied assists. Mozingo has now recorded six assists in the past four games.
First Half
The Cougars recorded the first shot on goal in the third minute, with a cross into the box from Mozingo to the head of Bella Folino, missing just left of the goal.
In the 24th minute, the Sooners snuck a ball through BYU’s backline for a shot by Emma Hawkins, tipped over the goal by Hernaez.
In a quick transition out of the back in the 35th minute, Mozingo sent a ball to the right side of the pitch at the feet of Walrbuch, who took a left-footed shot, missing just left of the woodwork.
After 42 minutes of a goalless match, Shepherd passed the ball wide to Pennock who sent a ball in the air, just over Oklahoma defenders, across the 18-yard box and right onto the foot of McCarthy, who volleyed it into the back of the net for a Cougar lead, 1-0.
The Cougars and Sooners went into halftime tied at five shots apiece, two on frame each. Oklahoma had four corner kicks, compared to BYU’s two.
Second Half
The Cougars maintained most of the possession to start the second half, seeing a few more shots on frame.
In the 55th minute, the Sooners had a partial breakaway down the right flank for a shot by Danielle Wolfe. Her shot was punched over the crossbar by Hernaez for her fourth save of the night.
Regaining possession of the ball in the 72nd minute, the Cougars built out of the back. McCarthy made a slick move right along the sideline by the BYU bench, chipping the ball past her defender, sliding past the defender and regaining possession. She then worked a give-and-go with Mozingo, weaved the ball through Oklahoma’s backline and got the ball to Walbruch who turned quickly and slid the ball into the back of the net, extending BYU’s lead, 2-0.
Oklahoma continued applying pressure and firing off more shots against the Cougars, unable to put any away as the clock wound down.
The Cougars return home to South Field for their final game of the regular season against UCF on Monday, Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. MT. BYU’s 11 seniors will be recognized prior to the match as part of senior night.