BYU Women’s Soccer Advances To Elite Eight With Upset Over No. 1 Virginia
Nov 20, 2021, 8:04 PM | Updated: Nov 21, 2021, 12:28 am
BYU Women's Soccer forward Cameron Tucker scored the Cougars lone goal in a 1-0 win over Virginia in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. (BYU Photo/Nate Edwards)
(BYU Photo/Nate Edwards)
PROVO, Utah – BYU women’s soccer is moving on to the Elite Eight in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
ELITE 8, HERE WE COME! 😍🎱 pic.twitter.com/7FRzYRpe9s
— BYU Women's Soccer (@byusoccer_w) November 21, 2021
The high-powered Cougars got revenge on the team that bounced them from last spring’s tournament, the No. 1 seed Virginia Cavaliers.
No. 4-seed BYU defeated the Hoos 1-0 on their home field Klöckner Stadium in Charlottesville. BYU’s lone goal came in the opening minutes of the second half, courtesy of senior forward Cameron Tucker.
“I am just proud of the way we fought through that,” said BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood. “Defensively, it was one of our best performances, and it had to be against a team like Virginia. Our outside backs particularly had a handful. And what a goal by Cam. I’m somewhat speechless after that win.”
Cameron Tucker takes the lead 🤑 pic.twitter.com/Nthze1HJlT
— BYU Women’s Soccer (@byusoccer_w) November 21, 2021
Virginia could never knock through the equalizer, giving BYU a massive victory that sends them to their first Elite Eight since 2019. Jennifer Rockwood’s team is the last seeded team in their region. That means BYU will now have a chance to potentially host an Elite Eight match at South Field.
BYU has not hosted an Elite Eight match in Provo since 2012, when they lost to 2-seed North Carolina in double overtime. This will be BYU’s fourth appearance all-time in the Elite Eight. The Cougars have never advanced to a Women’s College Cup in their previous 21 NCAA Tournament appearances.
#BYU women’s soccer takes down No. 1 seed Virginia 1-0 to advance to the Elite Eight.
Massive win for Jen Rockwood’s program. #BYUwSOC @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 21, 2021
BYU’s road to the College Cup includes a dominating 6-0 home win over New Mexico, 4-1 win over Alabama, and now a revenge victory over Virginia.
“It means a lot to win this game,” Cameron Tucker said. “All we wanted was a rematch with Virginia because we knew we were the better team. It feels really good and we are so excited for the Elite 8.”
BYU’s next opponent will be determined on November 21, when Penn State squares off against South Carolina. After that, the date and time of BYU’s Elite Eight match will be announced at a later date.
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.
