PROVO, Utah - No. 16 BYU women’s soccer lost its conference home opener to West Virginia, 3-2.
"I thought we came out and started off well and created some opportunities," head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "So often in soccer getting that first goal is important, and that didn't happen. I think our team is a little frustrated right now, so we're going to have to fight that off."
Despite outshooting the Mountaineers 15-13, the Cougars came up short in the final minutes of the match. West Virginia’s goals marked the first time this season that BYU gave up three goals in a game. In addition, Wednesday night’s loss at South Field marked the first Big 12 home loss since entering the conference in 2023.
The matchup included eight fouls, with BYU responsible for only one. The Cougars also recorded eight corner kicks compared to the Mountaineers’ three.
First Half
BYU opened the first half with consistent passing and pressure down the field. Senior Mackenzee Vance was heavily involved at the start of the half with two corner kicks and a shot in the fifth minute of the game—the first shot for either team.
In the ninth minute, freshman Sophie Sivulich narrowly missed just over the net with a header.
The Mountaineers responded to BYU’s offensive pressure with three shots of their own in the 11th and 12th minutes. All three proved unsuccessful, with one blocked immediately by the BYU defense and one saved by goalkeeper Paiton Collins.
Both the Cougars and Mountaineers would shoot and miss leading up to the 25th minute. West Virginia scored at 24:02 with a successful shot in the top left of the net, taking the lead 1-0.
Junior midfielder Halle Dixon shot and missed just off target in the 34th minute.
West Virginia closed out first-half play with a missed shot in the final 20 seconds.
Both teams sat at seven shots apiece in the first half, with the Mountaineers having two on target. BYU concluded the half with no fouls and five corner kicks.
Second Half
Both teams opened the second half with back-and-forth play on their respective ends of the field. Defender Presley Freeman was awarded the first free kick of the game in the 49th minute after a West Virginia foul. Freeman’s kick soared over the 18-yard box, reinstituting defensive play for the Cougars.
In the 55th minute, BYU attempted its first on-frame shot, which was saved by the Mountaineers' goalkeeper.
Five minutes later, West Virginia shot on target, with the ball saved by Collins.
BYU scored its first goal in the 69th minute. The score moved to 1-1 off a missed shot from sophomore midfielder Mika Krommenhoek, which bounced to freshman Mia Lopez, who put the ball in the bottom right corner of the net.
West Virginia quickly moved down the field and responded with a goal of its own just 16 seconds after the Cougars’ first goal, taking the lead again, 2-1.
In the 73rd minute, the Mountaineers scored again with a goal in the top left corner of the net, making it the third goal in less than five minutes.
Lopez shot two more times in the 79th and 81st minutes, with both attempts unsuccessful.
BYU’s effort in the final minutes of the match did not falter, with Dixon scoring in the 89th minute to move the score to 3-2. Despite their attempts, BYU could not even the score as time ran out.
Up Next
The Cougars remain at South Field to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m., with streaming available on ESPN+.