Cougs knock off Wolverines 3-0 in first round of NCAA Tournament

PROVO, Utah — BYU women’s soccer defeated Utah Valley 3-0 at South Field on Friday night, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Cougars outshot UVU in the match 21-11 which helped give them a 3-0 goal advantage.

"Obviously, we're really excited to move on," said Jennifer Rockwood, BYU head coach. "It was a fantastic game tonight between two really good teams that have had a great season. We obviously congratulate UVU for everything they were able to accomplish this year. I think it's a game that neither of us probably wanted to play in the first round, but we knew it was going to happen. It was inevitable."

BYU keeper Savanna Mason had five saves, posting a clean sheet in her first-ever postseason start.

The rematch between the two teams from earlier in the season added to the drama between the two squads. UVU defeated the Cougars at South Field 4-2 on Sept. 10. It was the last time the Cougars had suffered a loss.

"I think that loss definitely hurt," said Jamie Shepherd, BYU midfielder and captain. "They got us at a time where we were kind of still figuring some things out, and we've come a long way since that game. We've overcome a lot and kind of figured ourselves out and found our identity and know what we're good at. You can see that we're playing some of our best soccer, and we're really excited to have the opportunity to keep going."

First Half

The first shot of the match was from BYU's Ellie Maughan from the top of the box just over five minutes in, sailing over the keeper's head. UVU had its first corner kick of the match about 10 minutes in, leading to their first try of the evening which was stopped by Mason.

A free kick from Brecken Mozingo led to a header by Olivia Wade that struck the crossbar, keeping things tied at zero, fifteen minutes into the match. 

An Olivia Smith cross led to a Bella Folino header, missing the net and keeping the match even at zero 25 minutes in. 

Mozingo had a chance off of a free kick with 12 minutes remaining in the half, which just missed right.

Shepherd ripped a shot for the Cougars from the top of the box that sailed wide right with just over seven minutes to go in the half.

A shot by Zoe Jacobs hit the crossbar and off the ricochet, freshman Allie Fryer scored, giving BYU a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute.

Mozingo nearly put the Cougars up 2-0 with 1:30 remaining in the half with a shot that missed just wide left.

BYU outshot the Wolverines 12-6 in the first half which helped give them a 1-0 lead midway through the match.

Second Half

UVU’s Nicole Ray had a chance about four minutes in the second half but was denied by Mason, as the Cougars still led 1-0.

Wolverine defender Jenna Shepherd received a yellow card in the 50th minute as the card was the first one issued in the match.

Another yellow card was issued to UVU’s Julianna Carter in the 58th minute of the match.

Olivia Wade had a breakaway with just over 20 minutes remaining in the match and her shot was saved by keeper Leah Wolf, the opportunity nearly put the Cougars on top 2-0.

A goal by Tara Warner in the 70th minute got the Cougars their second goal, sneaking in a shot from a tough angle, just inside the left post and past the keeper. The goal was assisted by Folino and Shepherd. It was Warner’s first career goal as a Cougar.

Rachel McCarthy netted one for BYU in the 79th minute, after multiple step overs, eluding UVU defenders, giving the Cougars a 3-0 advantage.

BYU’s Shepherd was issued a yellow card in the 81st minute, the third card issued in the match.

A shot by Carter nearly put the Wolverines on the board late in the match but Mason was able to just get her fingertips on it and deflect the ball over the net.

The Cougars now await their second-round opponent. BYU will play the winner of San Jose State vs. Stanford in the next round in North Carolina.