LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Despite outshooting the Bruins in the second half, the BYU women’s soccer team (1-1-2, 0-0 Big 12) fell to UCLA (5-0, 0-0 Big Ten) 1-0 on Wednesday evening at Wallis Annenberg Stadium.
Before tonight's match, the Bruins had not allowed more than five shots in a game. The Cougars totaled nine shots on the night.
After being outshot in the first half 10-2, the Cougars came out strong in the second half, outshooting the Bruins 7-4. UCLA also tallied eight corner kicks to BYU’s five.
BYU’s goalkeeper Lynette Hernaez tied her career-high seven saves in tonight’s match. UCLA transfer MacKenzee Vance led the Cougars with four shots, two on target in tonight’s top-25 matchup.
First Half
UCLA scored fast and scored early with a goal in the sixth minute by Meg Boade. Despite being down 1-0, the Cougars pushed their offensive pace, matching the Bruins with five shots apiece in the first 30 minutes of play.
In the 29th minute, Addie Gardner crossed the ball from the right side of the field into the six-yard box, finding the head of Allie Fryer, saved by the UCLA goalkeeper.
UCLA answered quickly, driving down the spine of the field and taking a shot on target, saved by Hernaez.
In the 38th minute, Hernaez was tested again with a rocket from inside the box. After punching the ball out, UCLA followed-up with another shot, cleared off right on the line by center back Tara Warner.
The Cougars had a final chance on goal in the first half with a cross by Fryer, barely missing the foot of Caroline Stringfellow.
With UCLA taking 10 shots in the first half, eight of which were on frame, Hernaez tied her career-high seven saves within the first 45 minutes on the pitch. The Cougars had five shots, with two on target.
Second Half
The Cougars came out of the locker room with more physicality and offensive pressure to start the second half. BYU gained more of the possession during the second half, taking seven more shots and holding UCLA to just four. The Cougars also added three more corner kicks in the second half.
Despite holding most of the possession in the second half, the Cougars had a hard time finishing in their offensive third. BYU continued to fight until the final seconds of the match, but came up short, falling to the Bruins 1-0 for its first loss of the season.
BYU returns home to South Field for an in-state battle against Utah State on Saturday, Aug. 31 on South Field. The match is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. MT and will be streamed on ESPN+ with Jarom Jordan and Cassidy Smith on the call.