BYU Women’s Soccer Advances To National Championship After Penalty Kicks Win
Dec 3, 2021, 10:43 PM
BYU Women's Soccer defeats Santa Clara in penalty kicks. (Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)
(Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)
PROVO, Utah – BYU women’s soccer is playing for the National Championship.
The Cougars took down WCC rival and defending National Champion Santa Clara on their home field in penalty kicks (3-2).
#BYU Women’s Soccer advances to the National Championship. Takes down Santa Clara in penalty kicks (3-2).#BYUwSOC @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 4, 2021
After 90 minutes of scoreless play, then an additional two 10-minute overtime sessions, the National Semifinals came down to penalty kicks.
BYU Women’s Soccer wins in penalty kicks
The shootout didn’t start great for BYU as All-American Mikayla Colohan missed left, then Santa Clara’s Sally Menti hit a goal at the bottom center of the net to take a 1-0 lead.
BYU’s Jamie Shepherd then missed, but SCU’s Nicole Sweeney missed her attempt.
#BYU Women's Soccer advances to the National Championship round!#BYUwSOC #GoCougs
📷: @BYUphoto pic.twitter.com/cP21SaxZsL
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 4, 2021
In the shootout, the Cougars got on the board off a goal from Brecken Mozingo. BYU goalkeeper Cassidy Smith then had a brilliant save to keep the score at 1-1 through the first three attempts for both teams.
BYU’s Bella Folino and Santa Clara’s Izzy D’Aquila kicked goals in the fourth frame, tying the shootout at 2-2, heading into the final attempts.
Olivia Wade from BYU kicked a goal in the bottom left of the net to put the Cougars up 3-2. However, the final attempt was from SCU’s Ellie Glenn, and she missed just to the right, leaving the Broncos fans at Stevens Stadium stunned to see their National Champion squad taken down on the home field by BYU.
First trip to the National Championship
This is BYU’s first appearance in the College Cup and they have made the most of the opportunity, setting up a chance to play for the program’s first-ever National Championship.
#BYU vs. Florida State — Women’s Soccer National Championship on Monday, December 6 at 6 p.m. on ESPNU.
The women’s soccer title typically takes place on Sundays. NCAA accommodates #BYU’s “No Sunday” rule. #BYUwSOC @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 4, 2021
Five BYU players played in all 110 minutes of action led by Colohan and forward Cameron Tucker.
Both teams finished with eight shots on goal.
The victory over Santa Clara sends BYU to the National Title matchup against No. 1-seed Florida State. Typically the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament concluded its tourney with a Sunday National Championship match. But with BYU’s No Sunday rule, the NCAA accommodates that and will host the title match on Monday at 6 p.m. on ESPNU against the Seminoles.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
