SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The BYU women's soccer team fell short 4-3 to Santa Clara Saturday afternoon in the final game of the 2017 season.

"We fought hard and made it exciting just like all of our games this season," BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "We came out wanting to play one of our best games ever and score some goals, but our nemesis this year has been our set pieces defensively and that got the best of us today."

The Cougars (7-8-4, 4-4-1 WCC) took an early 1-0 lead when Madie Lyons Mathews scored her eighth goal of the season in the second minute of the game. Nadia Gomes stole the ball from the Broncos' defense, finding Mathews wide open in the 18-yard box for the goal.

In the ninth minute, Santa Clara (13-6-1, 8-1 WCC) took a corner kick and Kellie Peay headed the ball towards the near post, past Hannah Clark to even the match at 1-all.

Another giveaway by the Broncos in the 24th minute resulted in Mathews' second goal of the game. Mikayla Colohan stole the ball in Santa Clara's defensive half and played a through ball to Mathews, who battled past a defender and found the back of the net, giving BYU a 2-1 lead.

A penalty kick was awarded to Santa Clara in the 36th minute. Maria Sanchez evened the score at 2-2 after blasting the ball to the right side of the goal.

The Broncos took a 3-2 lead in the 42nd minute when Gudrun Arnardottir connected with a lose ball in the six-yard box from a free kick 40-yards out.

At halftime, the Cougars edged Santa Clara 8-7 on shots and Clark recorded two saves.

Colohan tied the game at 3-all in the 52nd minute when she dribbled down the field and took a long shot outside of the 18-yard box, sinking the ball in the back of the net. All three of her goals this season have been scored outside the 18-yard box.

The Broncos answered with another goal of their own four minutes later when another free kick was given. Sanchez served the ball in towards Maddy Gonzalez who was open near the penalty kick marker. Gonzalez volleyed the ball into the back of the net for the game-winner, giving Santa Clara a 4-3 advantage.

The Cougars outshot the Broncos 17-13. Colohan led all shooters with seven shots and Mathews added six. Clark tallied four total saves in goal.

PROVO, Utah – The BYU women's soccer team wraps up West Coast Conference action this week at San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 2 and Santa Clara on Saturday, Nov. 4.

BYU Storylines

The Cougars (7-6-4, 4-2-1 WCC) are hoping to continue their two-game win streak after beating Gonzaga 6-3 and Portland 1-0 last week on the road.

In a matchup against former BYU associate head coach Chris Watkins, the Cougars scored five second-half goals to earn an exciting win. Freshman midfielder Mikayla Colohan led the attack with two goals and an assist. Cameron Tucker, Elise Flake, Madie Lyons Mathews and Nadia Gomes combined for the other four goals.

Against Portland, BYU scored the game-winning goal in the 68th minute when Colohan found Flake open in the 18-yard box, scoring her fifth goal of the season. Senior goalkeeper Hannah Clark notched two saves in the shutout.

The Cougars have scored 28 goals this season and allowed 21.

San Francisco Storylines

The Dons are 6-10-2 overall and 2-5 in the WCC. Last week San Francisco earned a 3-2 win at Saint Mary's and was shutout 2-0 at Santa Clara. Against SMC, Camille Wilson scored in the 102nd minute to give the Dons their second win in the WCC. The first win in conference came against Portland.

San Francisco has scored 21 goals this season and allowed 40. Sonja Giraud leads the offense with seven goals and two assists. In goal, Olivia Camera has tallied 112 saves.

Series Information

The Cougars lead 6-1 after beating the Dons 4-0 at South Field in 2016.

Game Information

• Thursday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. MDT, at Negoesco Stadium
• Video: W.tv
• Radio: BYU Radio (Sirius XM 143) and ESPN 960 AM
• Radio Talent: Greg Wrubell (play-by-play) and Paige Barker (analyst)

Santa Clara Storylines

The Broncos (11-6-1, 6-1 WCC) have a five-game win streak, most recently beating Pacific 3-0 and San Francisco 2-0. In conference, Santa Clara has scored 21 of its 39 goals. Freshmen Kelsey Turnbow and Julie Doyle lead the attack. Turnbow has 11 goals and four assists while Doyle has added eight goals and three assists. Eight other players have found the back of the net this season. Junior goalkeeper Melissa Lowder has allowed 19 goals and recorded 17 saves.

The outcome of this week's games for Santa Clara will play a major role in its chances for the conference title and a bid into the NCAA tournament.

Series Information

Santa Clara leads 6-1-4. In 2016, the two teams tied 0-0 at South Field. The only win for the Cougars came in 2014 when BYU earned a dominant 5-2 win in Provo.

Game Information

• Saturday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. MDT, at Stevens Stadium
• Video: W.tv
• Video Talent: David Gentile
• Radio: BYU Radio (Sirius XM 143) and ESPN 960 AM
• Radio Talent: Greg Wrubell (play-by-play) and Paige Barker (analyst)