PROVO, Utah – No. 16 BYU ended its 18-game home winning streak dating back to 2014, falling to Nebraska 1-0 Monday evening at South Field.
“We certainly don’t like the feeling of losing, and especially losing at home—that hasn’t happened in a while," BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. “We just didn’t play well enough to win."
The Cougars' best first-half scoring chance came in the eighth minute, when senior forward Ashely Hatch crossed the ball to freshman forward Lizzy Braby, whose one-touch effort inside the six-yard box was saved by Nebraska goalkeeper Aubrei Corder.
BYU (1-1-0) created momentum late in the first half, taking four shots in the last seven minutes before halftime. The Cougars were unable to score a goal, as the two teams were tied 0-0 at the midway point.
The two teams tied with three corner kicks each in the first half. In addition, the Cougars totaled six shots with the Cornhuskers attempting five.
Both offensives mounted attacks early in the second half, with the ball crossing in front of both goals within the first two minutes of the game.
Senior midfielder Paige Hunt Barker's header in the 48th minute provided another close call for BYU, but fell into the hands of Nebraska’s Corder.
Nebraska (2-0-0) struck for the only goal of the game in the 55th minute when Alli Peterson marched the ball down the field and crossed it from left to right to teammate Meg Brandt. Brandt headed it near post and past the outstretched arms of Cougar goalkeeper Rachel Boaz and into the post, where it deflected into the goal.
BYU played aggressively in the closing 10 minutes of the game, but the net was left empty for the Cougars. The game ended with 10 shots taken by BYU in the second half, with only two attempts made by the Cornhuskers, one of which found the back of the net.
With one goal allowed at home, BYU has already matched its goals allowed at home total from a year ago. The last time the Cougars lost at home was Sept. 11, 2014, as BYU fell to LSU, 4-3.
The Cougars hit the road to play defending national champion Penn State on Friday at 7:00 p.m. EDT in State College, Pennsylvania. The game can be heard live on Cougar IMG Sports Network, BYU Radio on Sirius XM 143 and locally on ESPN 960 AM Radio. It will also be streamed for free at GoPSUSports.com.