PROVO, Utah – BYU women's soccer fell early and couldn't come back in a 2-1 loss against San Diego Friday night at South Field.

"I thought we had a lot of good looks," BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "I'm really pleased with the way we played. This team has battled. We're resilient, and we'll bounce back."

For the Cougars (3-5-3. 0-1), it was the first home loss in a West Coast Conference game since 2011. That defeat also came against the Toreros (3-8, 1-0), who hadn't beaten BYU since until Friday.

San Diego scored in the fifth minute when Kelsi Dantu headed Tara Meier's corner kick. Dantu's attempt deflected off BYU defender Taylor Isom for an own goal and 1-0 Torero lead.

The advantage doubled for San Diego in the 23rd minute when a free kick was batted around inside the Cougar box. Courtney Coate took advantage and struck the ball past Cougar goalkeeper Hannah Clark to put the Toreros up 2-0.

At the half, San Diego led 2-0 despite BYU's 10-2 shot advantage.

Elise Flake netted BYU's first and only goal of the game on a penalty kick in the 79th minute. She knocked it just inside the left post after a Torero hand ball to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Cougars couldn't score again as they fell 2-1. The loss came despite BYU's 31 shots, compared to six for San Diego.

Sabrina Macias replaced Clark in the second half as the Cougars' keeper.

BYU continues WCC action next week when it takes on Saint Mary's at South Field on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on BYUtv, with radio broadcasts on BYU Radio (Sirius XM 143) and ESPN 960 AM

PROVO, Utah – West Coast Conference play kicks off at South Field on Friday, Sept. 29 as the BYU women's soccer team hosts San Diego at 7 p.m. MDT.

BYU Storylines

The Cougars (3-4-3), who are the reigning league champions, have won two-straight games at South Field after beating Kansas 3-2 and Utah Valley 3-0 last week. Senior forward Nadia Gomes, this week's WCC Player of the Week, led the way with three goals, two against Kansas and the first goal versus UVU. Cameron Tucker, Elise Flake and Bizzy Bowen also found the back of the net in the wins.

After a slow start, the BYU offense has scored 11 goals in the last five games. Gomes is on top with a total of four goals and two assists for 10 points. Senior forward Avery Walker has six points after scoring two goals and tallying two assists. 

Against Utah Valley, the defense recorded its third shutout of the season. Senior goalkeeper Hannah Clark has recorded 38 saves in goal, including five in the shutout victory.

San Diego Storylines

The Toreros go into conference play with a 2-8 record. The two wins came against Denver and Sunday's game at CSUN. Junior Summer Mason scored a pair of goals in the first 20 minutes of the game to give San Diego an early 2-0 lead and ultimately the win over CSUN.

The offense has scored seven goals while the defense has allowed 17 on the season. Mason leads the team with four goals and two other players have each recorded one.

Game Information

• Friday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m. MDT at South Field
• TV: BYUtv
• TV Talent: Spencer Linton (play-by-play), Natalyn Lewis (analyst), Lauren Francom McClain (sideline)
• Radio: ESPN 960 AM
• Radio Talent: Jason Shepherd (play-by-play) and Paige Barker (analyst)

Series Information

The Cougars lead the series 7-2. In 2016, BYU beat the Toreros 2-1 in San Diego.