PROVO, Utah — The No. 16 BYU women’s soccer team fell short against Utah State, falling to the Aggies 2-1 on Saturday evening at South Field. The first two goals of the match came quickly in the first ten minutes of the match for a 1-1 tie, but an unanswered goal in the 57th minute would secure the victory for Utah State.
BYU's lone goal came from junior transfer Mackenzee Vance for her first goal as a Cougar. Mattyn Summers and Vance fired off a teaee shots apiece.
Sierra Pennock had her first career start tonight.
Both teams collected 13 shots, but Utah State held eight shots on goal over BYU's two.
First Half
Goalkeeper Lynette Hernaez held off two quick shots within the first five minutes of the match until Utah State’s Bizzy Arevalo sent a ball to the back left-side of the net, taking an early 1-0 lead at the seven-minute mark.
As a rebuttal, BYU’s Vance found the right-backside of the net off a free kick just outside the 18-yard box, earning her first BYU goal to even the score 1-1 at the ten minute mark.
Hernaez scuffed off another shot by USU’s Arevalo, with Hernaez extending her body to deflect the ball with her right hand at minute 19.
Sophomore Josie Shepherd subbed in at the 35 minute mark, appearing in a BYU match for the first time in her career.
With five minutes left in the first half, Utah State was outshooting BYU 7-2. The score would remain even at 1-1 through the fist 45 minutes going into halftime.
Second Half
The Cougars came out aggressive in the beginning of the second half, firing off two shots in the first three minutes from Vance and Mika Krommenhoek.
BYU’s Vance sent another shot towards the goal, but it was off frame over the crossbar at minute 56. The Aggies stormed down the field immediately following, with Kayli Chambers passing the ball up to Tess Werts in the 57th minute to score their second goal of the evening, earning back a lead at 2-1.
BYU freshman Presley Freeman sent a shot at the top of the box, narrowly missing over the crossbar. BYU would send two more shots, not finding any success.
Hernaez earned another diving catch at the 80 minute mark, collecting her sixth save on the night.
With eight minutes left, the Cougars urged Utah State to stay on the attack in order to even up the score and stay alive. Summers sent off another shot, but it was blocked by USU’s goalkeeper.
BYU would take a couple more promising shots with two minutes left, nearly missing the goal after back-to-back shots. Tylie Pratt's header from a BYU free kick missed wide left with less than a mintue standing in the match.
Utah State would maintain the ball in its attacking third in the last thirty seconds, holding off the Cougars to land a 2-1 victory.
Up Next
The Cougars will remain in Provo to face Boise State next week at South Field on Wednesday, September 4 at 7 p.m. MDT, with live coverage on ESPN+.