Cougars fall short in final game of the season

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.