MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – No. 20 women’s soccer (7-3-2, 3-1-1 Big 12) lost a tightly contested match against the West Virginia Mountaineers.
BYU bested the Mountaineers 19-8 in shots but were unable to find the back of the net. The Cougars also forced nine saves from the West Virginia keeper.
First Half
The game got off to a quick start as West Virginia slotted a ball through and found the back of the net, only to have it called back for offside. Both teams battled but couldn't find a rhythm early with quick turnovers and missed passes in the middle third.
The Cougars registered the first shot on goal as Bella Woods’ long-range strike bounced off the cross-bar and goalie before trickling out of play.
The Cougars kept the offensive momentum as Afton Perry drove down the left wing, found an open Mia Goetschee whose shot landed just outside the post.
The Cougars kept the pressure on the Mountaineers with a relentless high press in their half. Quick recovery after a West Virginia turnover led to an Emma Neff cross that found Goetschee whose header was saved comfortably by the keeper.
After a fast paced first thirty-five minutes, the teams slowed the game down and were more meticulous in their decision making in the final third.
The Mountaineers looked to link overlapping runs on the wing with chances in the box but couldn’t capitalize. While the Cougars had a handful of shots outside the box, looking to test the keeper from deep.
For the sixth time this season, the Cougars found themselves deadlocked 0-0 at halftime. The Cougars led the Mountaineers in shots, 8-2, with the Cougars also recording four corners to the Mountaineers zero and forcing four three saves from the West Virginia goalie.
Second Half
The Mountaineers came out of the break firing as they found the first goal of the game in the first three minutes of the second half to go up 1-0.
The Cougars looked to respond with an offensive push of their own as Perry swung in a cross from the right wing but couldn't find anyone in the box to finish it off.
The Cougars saw a big chance come in the 70th minute as Emma Hamberlin hit the crossbar and Mia Goetsche’s follow up header was saved.
The offensive pressure continued from the Cougars as a Sophie Sivulich shot forced another save from the keeper two minutes later.
Still looking for the equalizer, Lucy Kesler struck a shot from the top of the box but the West Virginia keeper denied the Cougars with a diving stop once again.
In the 81st minute the Mountaineers slipped a ball through behind the Cougars defense and found their second goal of the night.
BYU goalie Chelsea Petersen stifled the attack initially with a save but a fortuitous deflection off the save saw the ball land at the feet of the Mountaineers, who finished off the attack, sealing the game 2-0.
Up Next
The Cougars will continue their road swing and face the Cincinnati Bearcats at Gettler Stadium on Monday, October 12th at 5:00 p.m. MDT. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.