Cougars down Dons in WCC opener

HERRIMAN, Utah — BYU women’s soccer made its West Coast Conference debut for the 2020-21 season with a nail-biting 3-2 win over the University of San Francisco at the Zions Bank Real Academy on Saturday.

All-American Mikayla Colohan scored what ended up being the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute to breaking BYU’s two-game losing streak and solidify BYU’s third consecutive win over San Francisco. 

“We came back and did what we needed to do and closed it out,” head coach Jen Rockwood said. “Every conference game has to be earned and fought for. It’s not going to be easy.”

The Cougars and Dons traded possessions over the first few minutes. At the 4:11 mark, Colohan finally took the first shot of the game. In the 16th minute, a little chip shot went a long way for BYU forward Makaylie Moore Call as she secured the first goal of the night. The score was Call's seventh of her career.

Competitive play led to an injury for San Francisco’s goalie, Molly Eby, in the 36th. The Cougars continued to dominate possession in the first half. By halftime, BYU took nearly triple the amount of shots, outshooting San Francisco 17-6. Sophomore Bella Folino led with five shots, followed by Call’s four.

Heading into the second half, the Cougars maintained a 1-0 lead. However, in the 55th minute, San Francisco’s Ashley Humphrey, assisted by Cassidy George and Kalena Teufel, put the teams on even playing ground, snagging a goal. 

Folino reentered the game in the 58th and scored two minutes later, upping BYU's lead to 2-1.

The Dons equalized off a penalty kick, following Josie Guinn Gelalich’s red card due to a handball in the box in the 70th.

The Cougars, down a player, recovered within minutes. Colohan notched BYU’s third goal in the 72nd. The teams continued to trade possessions, but BYU held down the fort and secured the win. 

Up next, BYU faces Missouri on Wednesday, March 3, at 7 p.m. CST in Columbia, Missouri. The game will be carried live on the BYU Sports Network — BYU Radio 107.9 FM/BYU Cougars App.

Game Notes:

• Colohan’s goal at the 72:36 mark was her first of the season and 24th of her BYU career
• Folino’s goal was her fourth of the season; she now has 10 in her BYU career
• Call’s goal was her first of the season and the seventh of her BYU career
• Folino led BYU with six shots on goal. Colohan had five and Cameron Tucker had four
• BYU is currently 2-2-0 on the season, with wins over Utah and San Francisco, and road losses to No. 3 ranked UCLA and No. 6 USC