PROVO, UT – Goals by Lizzy Braby, Elise Flake and Makaylie Moore led BYU to a 3-1 victory over Gonzaga at South Field Thursday night in the first West Coast Conference game of the season.

BYU vs. Gonzaga Box Score

“In the first half we created so many opportunities," BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. “I really liked how we started the game with intensity. I’m proud of them for not getting too flustered after the penalty kick in the second half and we settled in and pulled it out. This was a good battle and I think it’s a good lesson for us that no game in conference is going to be easy.”

BYU (6-3-1, 1-0 WCC) got on the board in the sixth minute when Bella Folino sent the ball to Flake who fired her shot into the left corner of the net for an early 1-0 lead.

The momentum continued in the 21st minute as Braby danced around in the 18-yard box and found the corner of the goal for a 2-0 advantage.

At the end of the first half, the Cougars recorded 18 total shot attempts to Gonzaga’s (5-6-2, 0-1 WCC) eight. Mikayla Colohan and Madie Siddoway Gates provided four shots apiece, while Braby and Flake each contributed three shots.

The Bulldogs picked up their attack early in the second half with an attempted shot by Gonzaga’s McKenna Ferrera, but Sabrina Macias Davis responded with a save.

A penalty kick was awarded to the Bulldogs in the 56th minute and Sophia Braun was initially denied by Davis before finding the back of the net off of the deflection.

Moore scored in the 72nd minute, shooting the ball past an outstretched goalkeeper to tally her second career goal and extend BYU's lead to 3-1.

At the end of the game Davis recorded eight saves and the Cougars outshot the Bulldogs 31-14.

The BYU women’s soccer team will continue at home when they play Portland on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. MDT. The game will be available to watch on TheW.tv and on an audio broadcast on ESPN 960 AM/107.9 FM. Live stats can also be found on Statbroadcast.com.

Game Notes

• In the first half, the Cougars recorded 18 shots for a season-high number of shots in a half.
• Flake and Braby each tallied a career-high of season goals. Flake scored her sixth goal this season and Braby scored her second.
• Davis grabbed a career-high eight saves.

PROVO, Utah – West Coast Conference action begins this week as the BYU women's soccer team hosts Gonzaga on Thursday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. MDT and Portland on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. MDT.

BYU vs. Gonzaga and Portland Game Notes

WCC HISTORY. The Cougars enter WCC play with a 45-10-6 overall record since joining the conference in 2011. BYU won the conference title in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. In 2017, the Cougars tied for fourth place after tallying a 4-4-1 record.

TEAM LEADERS. Junior Elise Flake leads the team with five goals and three assists for a total of 13 points. Senior Madie Siddoway Gates and freshman Bella Folino each have 10 points after tallying four goals and two assists. Sophomore Mikayla Colohan has found the back of the net three times and assisted on three more goals for nine points. Junior Sabrina Macias Davis has played 525 minutes in goal while allowing nine goals and grabbing 19 saves.

BYU (5-3-1) vs. Gonzaga (5-2-2)

• Thursday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. MDT, at South Field
• Video: BYUtv
• Video Talent: Spencer Linton (play-by-play) and Natalyn Lewis (analyst)
• Radio: BYU Radio (Sirius XM 143/107.9 FM) and ESPN 960 AM
• Radio Talent: Greg Wrubell (play-by-play) and Paige Barker (analyst)

WATKINS RETURNS. Former BYU women's soccer associate head coach Chris Watkins returns to South Field as the head coach of Gonzaga after taking over the Bulldogs in 2017. He has compiled a 15-10-3 record in his two seasons in Spokane, Washington. 

THE BULLDOGS. Gonzaga is looking to continue its shutout streak after going three-consecutive games without allowing a goal. In non-conference play, the Bulldogs picked up wins against Grand Canyon, Oregon State, Cal Poly, Colorado State and Seattle. India Jencks leads the offense with four goals and one assist, while six other players have found the back of the net for a total of 11 goals. 

SERIES INFORMATION. The Cougars are undefeated in the series, earning 10 total wins. The last matchup was in 2017 when BYU went on to take a 6-3 win over Gonzaga at Luger Field. 

BYU (5-3-1) vs. Portland (7-4-0)

• Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. MDT, at South Field
• Video: TheW.tv
• Radio: ESPN 960 AM and 107.9 FM
• Radio and TheW.tv Talent: Jason Shepherd (play-by-play) and Paige Barker (analyst)

THE PILOTS. Under the direction of new head coach Michelle French, the Pilots have won three-straight games after beating Seattle in overtime. Portland is led by Taryn Ries with six goals and two assists. Kimberly Hazlett has added three goals and three assists. Goalkeeper Rachel Lusby was this week's WCC Player of the Week after recording back-to-back shutouts. 

SERIES INFORMATION. BYU leads 8-4 after beating the Pilots 1-0 in 2017 when Flake found the back of the net in the 68th minute in Portland.