BYU falls to Texas in Big 12 Tournament Championship, 3-1

AUSTIN, Texas — In BYU women’s soccer's first-ever Big 12 championship appearance, the Cougars fell 3-1 to Texas in the 2023 Sprouts Farmers Market Big 12 Tournament on Saturday evening at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex.

The Longhorns won it in the second half, with two goals from Lexi Missimo and Holly Ward. With the win, Texas receives an automatic bid to the 2023 NCAA women’s soccer tournament.

Brecken Mozingo now leads the Cougars in goals with 11, scoring BYU’s lone goal of the night with eight minutes left in the first half.

 

First Half

Texas opened the match by scoring within the first two minutes of the game, with a cross from Ashlyn Miller to the Longhorns' all-time point leader and 2023 Big 12 Midfielder of the Year Lexi Missimo. It was Missimo’s 23rd goal of the season.

BYU’s offense remained steady and responded just six minutes later as Olivia Wade-Katoa found Mozingo at the top of the 18-yard box and sent the ball to the top-right side of the net, scoring her eleventh goal of the season for the 1-1 equalizer.

With the score now tied at 1-1, the Cougars continued to apply pressure in the attacking third.

Katoa-Wade had a shot on goal at the 15 minute mark, with the Longhorns’ goalie sliding to get the save. Wade-Katoa fired off another shot at the 23 minute mark, but it ricocheted off the top of the crossbar.

BYU’s Allie Fryer also had a glimpse of a goal five minutes later, but the ball sailed right over the left side of the net.

Neither team was able to convert another goal, and the first half ended tied at 1-1. BYU held Texas to just one shot on goal after its match-opening goal at the two minute mark. Through the first 45 minutes, both teams recorded six shots.

Second Half

Texas also scored early in the second half of the game. With a foul called on BYU inside the box against Longhorn Trinity Byars at the 55 minute mark, teammate Missimo stepped up to take the penalty kick. Sending the ball to the right side of the net, Missimo scored her second goal of the night for Texas to take a 2-1 lead.

Texas captured more control of the ball after gaining some momentum, and added four more shots. 

In a must-score scenario, BYU fought to add another goal. From off the bench, Rachel McCarthy sent a shot at 68 minutes, but it was blocked by Texas goalkeeper Mia Justus. Justus went on to have six saves on the night.

Texas would score a game-winning goal in the 76th minute, with Ward finding success at the bottom-left back of the net.

The No. 6 Cougars await the 2023 D1 women’s soccer selection show on Monday night for a chance to play in the NCAA College Cup in Cary, North Carolina. The program will air Monday, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. ET live on NCAA.com.