PROVO, Utah ­­– Mikayla Colohan’s late goal lifted the BYU women’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Mississippi State Saturday night.

BYU vs. Mississippi State Box Score

"We felt it was going to come and Mikayla stepped up and came through for us when we really needed it," BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "Anytime you are on the road and you leave an opportunity and are only up 1-0, anything can happen and it changed the momentum. I am very proud of the ways we continued to get results."

Senior forward Elise Flake scored the first goal of the match in the 21st minute as she beat the Bulldogs’ (1-1) goalkeeper outside the 18-yard box and passed the ball into an open net, giving the Cougars (2-0) a 1-0 lead.

In the first half, BYU outshot Mississippi State 10-2 and was led by Flake’s five total attempts.

The Bulldogs were awarded a penalty kick in the 65th minute and converted on the shot, placing the ball to the right side of the goal to even the game at 1-all.

In the 85th minute, Colohan stepped up to take a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box and found the far side netting to put the Cougars back on top 2-1 and ultimately give BYU it’s second win of the season.

Goalkeeper Sabrina Davis made a diving save as the clock ran out to secure the Cougars’ victory.

BYU recorded 20 shots and nine corner kicks while the Bulldogs tallied seven and one, respectively.

The Cougars return to South Field for the home opener vs. Southern Utah, on Friday, Aug. 30, at 8 p.m. MDT. The game will be streamed live on the WCC Network and audio broadcasts can be heard on the BYU Sports Network/BYU Cougars App, BYU Radio 107.9 FM and ESPN 960 AM/ESPN 960 App.

GAME NOTES

• Flake tallied her first goal of the season and 21st as a Cougar.
• Colohan’s goal is the second of the season, giving her the game-winner in both games of the season.
• The last time BYU recorded 20+ shots in a game came against Saint Mary’s in 2018.
• Colohan led the team with a total of eight shots in her 90 minutes of play.

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.