TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — An early goal by Hermann Trophy candidate Mikayla Colohan was all BYU needed to open the 2019 season with a 1-0 victory over SEC powerhouse Alabama, Thursday.

BYU vs. Alabama Box Score

“It was a hard fought physical game and I liked seeing our team battle and get us the win on the road,” BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said.

Colohan put the ball in the far left corner of the net after getting a cross from teammate Lizzy Braby to give the early 1-0 lead for the visiting Cougar team. The goal came in the eighth minute of the contest and was Colohan’s first of the season and ninth of her career.

Through the first 45 minutes of play, the Cougars controlled the majority of the possession while recording seven shots to Alabama’s four. BYU also had four corners to the Crimson Tide’s one.

The second half saw both teams battling hard back and forth. Alli Berk gave Alabama its best opportunity to get the equalizer in the 59th minute with the ball going just to the left of the net

In the 76th minute BYU had a chance to add to its lead when junior forward Makaylie Moore was able to get a shot off that went wide left of the net.

BYU finished the game with nine of its 15 shots on goal while notching five corners. For the game, the Crimson Tide tallied a total of nine shots with three on goal and recorded two corners. 

The Cougars remain in SEC country, playing at Mississippi State on Saturday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. CDT.  The game will be carried live on the BYU Sports Network/BYU App/107.9 FM and ESPN 960 AM/ESPN 960 AM App. Greg Wrubell and Avery Walker will have the action from Starkville.

PROVO, Utah ­­– The BYU women’s soccer team kicks off regular season competition at Alabama on Thursday, Aug. 22 before traveling to Mississippi State on Saturday, Aug. 24.

BYU at Alabama and Mississippi State Game Notes

LAST TIME ON THE FIELD. The Cougars exhibition match against Colorado College resulted in a dominant 4-0 win, with all four goals coming in the second half. Senior Elise Flake led the way with a pair of goals in the 47th and 60th minute. Senior Alyssa Jefferson and junior Makaylie Moore also found the back of the net in the win.

WCC CO-FAVORITES. The West Coast Conference recently announced BYU and Santa Clara as co-favorites to win the crown in 2019. Both teams garnered five first-place votes for a total of 77 points. In 2018, the Cougars edged the Broncos at South Field to claim the title for the sixth time since joining the conference in 2011.

THE FLAKE AND COLOHAN DUO. Flake and junior Mikayla Colohan have been recognized this preseason by the MAC Hermann Trophy Foundation, the WCC and Top Drawer Soccer. The pair were named to the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list and the WCC Preseason Team. Top Drawer Soccer also named the duo to the Preseason Top 100 Players with Colohan coming in at No. 43 and Flake at No. 84.

IN THE RANKINGS. In the preseason rankings, BYU received 45 votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, placing them just outside the top 25. In Top Drawer Soccer's Preseason Poll, the Cougars were ranked No. 22 in the nation.

BYU (0-0-0, 0-0 WCC) at Alabama (0-0-0, 0-0-0 SEC)

• Thursday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m. CDT, at Alabama Soccer Stadium
• Video: SEC Network+
• Video Talent: Gray Robertson (play-by-play) and Hayley MacDonald (analyst)
• Radio: BYU Sports Network/BYU Cougars App/107.9 FM and ESPN 960 AM/ESPN 960 AM App
• Radio Talent: Greg Wrubell (play-by-play) and Avery Walker (analyst)

THE CRIMSON TIDE. Alabama returns 16 letterwinners while bringing in 11 newcomers to make the 2019 squad under head coach Wes Hart. In 2018, the Crimson Tide went 8-8-3 overall and 2-6-2 in the SEC. Alabama earned a 3-0 win over UCF and a 4-0 victory against South Alabama in exhibition play before opening against the Cougars.

COUGARS VS. CRIMSON TIDE. This is the first meeting between BYU and Alabama.

BYU (0-0-0, 0-0 WCC) at Mississippi State (0-0-0, 0-0-0 SEC)

• Saturday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. CDT, at MSU Soccer Field
• Video: SEC Network+
• Radio: BYU Sports Network/BYU Cougars App/107.9 FM and ESPN 960 AM/ESPN 960 AM App
• Radio Talent: Greg Wrubell (play-by-play) and Avery Walker (analyst)

THE BULLDOGS. Under the tenure of first-year head coach James Armstrong, Mississippi State is coming off of a 9-7-2 overall record and 2-6-2 SEC. Four players were recently named to the SEC's preseason watch list as the Bulldogs split their preseason matches, 3-1 win over William Carey and 1-0 loss against Southern Mississippi.

COUGARS VS. BULLDOGS. This is the first game between BYU and Mississippi State.

The Cougars return to South Field on Friday, Aug. 30, at 8 p.m. MDT as they host Southern Utah in the home opener.