LOS ANGELES – Second half goals helped the BYU women's soccer team bounce back for a 2-1 win over Loyola Marymount Saturday night and clinch the West Coast Conference title outright.
"It's a huge game for us this year and it certainly didn't come easy," BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "We really had to battle like crazy in that second half to get back into it. It really comes down to the mentality to get out there and get the job done."
The Lions (3-13-4, 1-7-1 WCC) stunned the Cougars (13-4-1, 8-1 WCC) in the 25th minute when the ball bounced around in the 18-yard box and an attempt to clear the ball by the BYU defense found an open LMU player who scored for a 1-0 advantage.
After the first half, both teams had tallied three shots on goal with the Cougars totaling eight shots compared to the Lions' seven.
In the 60th minute, junior Lizzy Braby sent the ball across the face of the goal and freshman Bella Folino was open near the back post for an easy one-touch shot into the back of the net to even the game at 1-all.
Junior Elise Flake added a goal of her own in the 70th minute to take a 2-1 lead when sophomore Mikayla Colohan crossed the ball to Flake in front of the goal.
At the close of the game, BYU outshout LMU 16-9 and had seven shots on goal compared to the Lions’ four. In goal, Sabrina Macias Davis tallied three saves.
The selection show for the NCAA tournament will take place on Monday, Nov. 5, at 2:30 p.m. MST and will be streamed on NCAA.com.
Game Notes
- Folino scored her sixth goal of the season and has made her way into the BYU record book for freshman records (Tied for 11th).
- Braby now has five assists on the season and has recorded an assist in the three-straight games.
- Flake found the back of the net for the 13th time and has also put her name in the record book. She is 15th in season goals and 18th in career goals (19).
- Colohan notched her sixth assist and leads the team with Rachel Bingham Lyman.
PROVO, Utah – The BYU women's soccer team closes West Coast Conference action at Loyola Marymount on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m. PDT.
Game Information
BYU (12-4-1, 7-1 WCC) vs. LMU (3-12-4, 1-6-1 WCC)
- Saturday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m. PDT, at Sullivan Field
- Video: TheW.tv
- Radio: ESPN 960 AM and 107.9 FM
- Radio Talent: Jason Shepherd (play-by-play) and Jennie Smith (analyst)
WCC CHAMPIONS. After an 7-8-4, 4-4-1 WCC season in 2017, the Cougars have fought back and claimed at least a share of the 2018 WCC title. BYU beat No. 6 Santa Clara 2-0 on Saturday at South Field and a win at Loyola Marymount will secure the Cougars as the solo WCC Champions. BYU has been the conference champs in six of the eight seasons while in the conference.
NCAA TOURNAMENT. The win over the Broncos not only gave the Cougars the championship, but awarded them with the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament this season. The selection show will take place on Monday, Nov. 5.
WCC PLAYER OF THE WEEK. Junior goalkeeper Sabrina Macias Davis was named player of the week after recording two shutouts against San Francisco and Santa Clara. She tallied four saves in each game, which included back-to-back saves against the Dons and a penalty kick save against the Broncos.
THE LIONS. Loyola Marymount is on a six-game losing streak with its most recent losses coming against Portland (1-0) and Gonzaga (4-3). In conference play, the Lions beat Pacific 4-0 and tied Saint Mary's 0-0. Senior Sarina Bolden leads the offense with six goals and nine other players have found the back of the net.
COUGARS VS. LIONS. BYU leads the series 7-1-1. In 2017, the two teams recorded a scoreless tie on senior night at South Field. The only loss for the Cougars occurred in 2004 when the Lions topped BYU 2-1.