Why a 5-1 exhibition win over Idaho State meant so much to BYU’s Afton Perry

PROVO — There’s an overused cliche in sports, to treasure every moment because you never know which one will be your last.

That’s the motto of the BYU women’s soccer team in 2026, though the Cougars know at least one expiration date on the horizon: Jennifer Rockwood, who has been at the helm of the program for more than 30 years and the entirety of the team’s Division I era, will retire after the season.

With that in mind, perhaps even Saturday night’s 5-1 exhibition win over Idaho State meant a little bit more to this group of Cougars. But for one in particular, it was more than a scrimmage.

Afton Perry recorded a brace as BYU scored three goals less than 12 minutes apart, and Mika Krommenhoek assisted on three goals in BYU’s win. Her two goals may not stand out as much as regular goal contributors Ellie Walbruch or Mia Goettsche, or true freshman Kate Fuller, the former Lone Peak star who tallied her first collegiate goal.

But for Perry, the moment was as big as a College Cup semifinal.

“That’s what I’ve been working for all summer: just being more attacking minded,” Perry said. “It’s a new position for me, more attacking, and that was one of my big goals over the summer. So this one felt great.”

Perry isn’t new to the program, or new to those who follow soccer in Utah at the high school, club or even professional level. The rising sophomore from Westlake High won a U.S. Youth Soccer national championship in 2022, and ECNL national honors in 2024 before enrolling at BYU.

The 5-foot-6 midfielder played in 24 matches as a freshman a year ago, starting 10 with one goal and three assists while filling a variety of roles in Rockwood’s diamond midfield. She spent time going forward, played on the wing, and even dropped into defensive midfield where she felt more comfortable.

AND. ANOTHER. ONE. 🤯
11' | BYU 3 – ISU 0 pic.twitter.com/8GK7DYN5lK

— BYU Women's Soccer (@byusoccer_w) August 9, 2026

Perry’s influence on the game was more than the four goal-contributions she mustered in 2025, and even more than the 1,297 minutes she played or the eight shots on goal she put up.

But in leading up to Rockwood’s final season, the Cougars faced a significant need. Walbruch led the team with 16 goals last year, and Goettsche added five with five assists. But with third-leading scorer Mia Lopez transferring to Utah State in the spring, BYU hoped to find a more dynamic attack out wide.

Walbruch’s a proven goal scorer. But the Cougars needed more.

That’s where Perry comes in.

“We really challenged our wing players; we just needed more out of them,” Rockwood said. “We didn’t get enough out of our wings last year, and I put the challenge in them a couple of days ago — and, man, they came through, big-time.”

Pushing Perry further up the field toward an opponent’s goal proved a priority, and the Cougars enhanced that priority through Krommenhoek and outside back Presley Freeman, who had two assists. So while the change came in an exhibition friendly against Idaho State that won’t count on the record book, BYU showed that it can count on more than just Walbruch to shoulder the scoring load.

“Defensively, I feel like I get it; I’ve always had the mentality to be a dog, to work and to get the ball back for my teammates. Getting into the attack is that next step for me,” Perry said. “It’s about how I can play on both sides of the ball, and be effective.”

It couldn’t unlock in a better person, Rockwood admitted.

“Afton’s a fantastic kid, a great leader, very disciplined, competitive — but also very compassionate and a good friend to everybody,” the veteran coach said. “I feel blessed because my whole team is made up of those kind of quality people.

“It’s why I never wanted to coach anywhere else. I can recruit unbelievable young women to come and play here at BYU.”

There are plenty more coming through, as well. The Cougars’ freshman class was on full display Saturday, a group that includes Fuller, former Olympus High star Anna Neff and Florida forward Brynnli Tolbert, as well as Ellie Karl — a top prospect in the class of 2027 out of Wasatch High who reclassified and enrolled early.

They’re all in Provo, and ready to push for playing time right away.

“This whole new team just has a new vibe and new energy. It’s because we have so much experience,” Perry said, “and then I think the freshmen are unreal. Seeing them play and shine with confidence already is great. I think it just adds to our depth and our potential.”