No. 7 Cougars Best Knights 3-2 to Close Out Regular Season

PROVO, Utah – No. 7 BYU women’s soccer (14-1-3, Big 12 7-0-3) defeated UCF 3-2 in the final match of the regular season.

"It was a great way to start off our Big 12 conference play, going undefeated in conference matches," said head coach Jennifer Rockwood. "I think the girls played really well tonight, big result tonight, so we are excited for the Big 12 tournament."

It was the fifth consecutive sellout at South Field, with 4,683 in attendance on senior night. BYU honored 11 seniors in a pre-game ceremony.

Sophomore Allie Fryer recorded her ninth goal of the season, matching Erin Bailey to lead the Cougars in goals this season. Seniors Oliva Wade-Katoa and Brecken Mozingo had the other Cougar goals.

Lynette Hernaez picked up the win in goal with two saves.

 

First Half

Starting the night off fast, Fryer notched a goal in the third minute of play off her right foot, with assists from Mozingo and Jamie Shepherd.

Passing down the field, Fryer and Ellie Boren both took shots in the eighth minute of play, ending with two saves by UCF’s Caroline DeLisle.

In the 20th minute of play, Wade-Katoa found the back of the net with a shot that hit off the far post and in, on an assist from Kendell Petersen, putting the Cougars up 2-0.

Rachel McCarthy broke through two UCF defenders in the 28th minute, crossing to Boren for her third shot of the night.

UCF got on the board in the 34th minute, with Chloe Netzel launching a shot from near the 18 to the top right of the net, making the score 2-1. The Knights continued to press BYU's backline, getting another shot off just two minutes later, blocked by senior defender Laveni Vaka.

With just over two minutes left in the half, Mozingo broke past the Knight defense, firing a shot off the post and in, just like Wade-Katoa's. The goal was assisted by Tara Warner and put the Cougars up 3-1 going into the half.

The Cougars outshot the Knights 12-6 in the first half, with six shots on goal to UCF’s one.

Second Half

Both teams started the second half on a quick pace, trading possession on either end of the field. Mozingo got a shot off in the 52nd minute, missing just wide of the left post for her third shot of the match.

The 62nd minute saw a UCF defender receive a yellow card for pulling down Mozingo by the jersey. Another UCF foul was called minutes later outside the 18, followed by Mozingo taking the free kick that went just wide of the frame.

The Knights had some offensive opportunites, getting a shot off in the 70th minute, saved by Hernaez. The Cougars responded by flipping the field, with pressure from back-to-back shots by Wade-Katoa and Mozingo. Shepherd joined in the mix, rocketing her own shot missing just right of the goal.

A penalty kick was awarded to the Knights in the 80th minute, converted by Mia Asenjo, bringing the score to 3-2. 

As the clock transpired, the Cougars held onto their one goal lead, beating the Knights 3-2, going undefeated in Big 12 Conference play. 

Up Next

The Cougars will move to postseason play competing in the Sprouts Farmer’s Market Big 12 Soccer Championship in Round Rock, Texas. The first round of the tournament will be played on Saturday, Oct. 28.