PROVO, Utah — In an action-packed Deseret First Duel, BYU women’s soccer tied with No. 21 Utah 1-1 in double overtime at South Field in front of 5,367 fans on Friday.

“It’s always a close game when we play Utah,” BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. “I thought we took a step forward today. We fought and battled a little bit more, and that is something we have lacked most of the season. We are a work in progress, and we will hopefully take another step forward on Monday.”

The Cougars (0-3-3) recorded their highest amount of shots this season against Utah (4-1-1), tallying 14, while Utah attempted 16 shots.

In the match BYU senior goalkeeper Hannah Clark logged a season-high eight saves, while senior forward Nadia Gomes scored her 19th career goal as a Cougar.

Both teams struggled to find their rhythm through the first 20 minutes of the match.  

The Utes nearly scored on a header off of Utah’s second corner kick of the contest in the 21st minute.

After the Cougars pieced together two back-to-back offensive attacks, Utah countered, scoring in the 31st minute. Paola Van der Veen slid the ball past two BYU defenders to Eden Jacobsen. Jacobsen then found the back of the net to give Utah the 1-0 halftime advantage.

In the 57th minute, Gomes capitalized on a misplaced ball in the box. Gomes blocked a clear by Utah goalkeeper Carly Nelson and scored in an open net to tie the game at 1-all.

“It comes down to hustle,” Rockwood said, “and it's something that these players can all choose to do. Nadia did a good job of putting pressure on the keeper. She caused some chaos and put it away. I’m proud that she was able to battle and fight like that.”

After Gomes' goal the match became more physical on both sides of the field. Two yellow cards were given out in the second half. With 15 seconds left in regulation, Clark saved a header off of a Natalee Wells corner into the box to force overtime.

On a free kick in the eighth minute of overtime, Clark recorded her seventh save of the match, as Aleea Gwerder rocketed a ball to goal. No score in the first 10-minute overtime forced a second overtime period.

Both teams put together solid offensive campaigns in the second overtime, but neither side could find the back of the net.

BYU women’s soccer will travel to Corvallis, Oregon, to take on its fourth-straight Pac-12 opponent Oregon State on Monday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network and can be heard live on BYU Radio - Sirius XM 143 and ESPN 960.

PROVO, Utah — The BYU women's soccer team will play No. 21 University of Utah on Friday, September 8, at 7 p.m. at South Field. This will be the first game in the 2017-18 Deseret First Duel.

BYU vs. Utah Game Notes

BYU Storylines

The Cougars (0-3-2) continue to seek their first win of the season on Friday. BYU is bouncing back from a 3-0 loss at No. 25 Colorado on Monday. The Buffs managed to find the back of the net on all three shots on goal. Both teams recorded 10 shots in the 90 minutes, but the Cougars continue to struggle finishing in the attacking third.

Goals by freshman forward Cameron Tucker at Penn State and senior forward Avery Walker against Cal State Fullerton are the lone goals this season. BYU hopes to end their scoring drought on Friday against the Utes.

Utah Storylines

The Utes (4-1) are coming off a 2-1 win in double overtime against Cal State Fullerton. Junior Paola van der Veen scored the game winner for her fifth goal of the season. Utah is averaging 3.4 goals per game and has only allowed three goals this season. The last time Utah won in Provo was in 2007.

West Coast Conference opponent Loyola Marymount, who was picked to finish fourth in the WCC, pulled off a 1-0 win for Utah's only loss of the year.

Game Information

• Friday, September 8 at 7 p.m. MDT, at South Field
• TV: BYUtv
• TV Talent: Spencer Linton (play-by-play), Natalyn Lewis (analyst), Lauren Francom McClain (sideline)
• Radio: BYU Radio (Sirius XM 143) and ESPN 960 AM
• Radio Talent: Greg Wrubell (play-by-play) and Paige Barker (analyst)

Series Information

The Cougars lead the series 21-7-1. In 2016, BYU beat Utah 2-0 in Salt Lake City. 

The Deseret First Duel is entering into its 11th year. Friday's competition will be the first of many between the BYU Cougars and the Utah Utes in the 2017-18 seasons.