BYU Women’s Soccer Advances After Thrilling Shootout Victory

PROVO, Utah — The BYU women’s soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after defeating Utah State in a nail-biting 7-6 penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw on Friday night at South Field.

Goalkeeper Chelsea Peterson stood out during the match, making three critical saves in the shootout to secure the win for the Cougars. The teams battled through double overtime, where both sides had opportunities but could not break the deadlock. BYU outshot Utah State 24-11 and had the edge in shots on goal, 7-6.

In regulation, Mia Goettsche scored the lone goal for BYU in the 19th minute, putting the Cougars ahead before Utah State equalized in the 53rd minute with a header from Mia Mullenmeister. Despite the Cougars’ dominance in the first half, with an 8-4 shot advantage, Utah State fought back to tie the game.

As the match went into the overtime periods, both teams showcased strong defensive efforts. BYU failed to capitalize on their scoring chances, and Utah State’s goalkeeper, Allee Grashoff, made crucial saves to keep her team in the game.

The penalty shootout proved to be intense, with Peterson saving the Aggies’ third attempt and making additional stops when her team needed her most. Coach Jennifer Rockwood lauded Peterson’s leadership: “I’m super proud of what Chelsea was able to do. It was quite something for what she was able to do tonight.”

BYU will face the winner of the UCLA vs. Pepperdine matchup in the next round, continuing their quest for a deeper playoff run. The match showcased the resilience and competitive spirit of both teams, adding another chapter to their storied rivalry.