HERRIMAN, Utah — BYU women’s soccer made its West Coast Conference debut for the 2020-21 season with a nail-biting 3-2 win over the University of San Francisco at the Zions Bank Real Academy on Saturday.

All-American Mikayla Colohan scored what ended up being the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute to breaking BYU’s two-game losing streak and solidify BYU’s third consecutive win over San Francisco. 

“We came back and did what we needed to do and closed it out,” head coach Jen Rockwood said. “Every conference game has to be earned and fought for. It’s not going to be easy.”

The Cougars and Dons traded possessions over the first few minutes. At the 4:11 mark, Colohan finally took the first shot of the game. In the 16th minute, a little chip shot went a long way for BYU forward Makaylie Moore Call as she secured the first goal of the night. The score was Call's seventh of her career.

Competitive play led to an injury for San Francisco’s goalie, Molly Eby, in the 36th. The Cougars continued to dominate possession in the first half. By halftime, BYU took nearly triple the amount of shots, outshooting San Francisco 17-6. Sophomore Bella Folino led with five shots, followed by Call’s four.

Heading into the second half, the Cougars maintained a 1-0 lead. However, in the 55th minute, San Francisco’s Ashley Humphrey, assisted by Cassidy George and Kalena Teufel, put the teams on even playing ground, snagging a goal. 

Folino reentered the game in the 58th and scored two minutes later, upping BYU's lead to 2-1.

The Dons equalized off a penalty kick, following Josie Guinn Gelalich’s red card due to a handball in the box in the 70th.

The Cougars, down a player, recovered within minutes. Colohan notched BYU’s third goal in the 72nd. The teams continued to trade possessions, but BYU held down the fort and secured the win. 

Up next, BYU faces Missouri on Wednesday, March 3, at 7 p.m. CST in Columbia, Missouri. The game will be carried live on the BYU Sports Network — BYU Radio 107.9 FM/BYU Cougars App.

Game Notes:

• Colohan’s goal at the 72:36 mark was her first of the season and 24th of her BYU career
• Folino’s goal was her fourth of the season; she now has 10 in her BYU career
• Call’s goal was her first of the season and the seventh of her BYU career
• Folino led BYU with six shots on goal. Colohan had five and Cameron Tucker had four
• BYU is currently 2-2-0 on the season, with wins over Utah and San Francisco, and road losses to No. 3 ranked UCLA and No. 6 USC

PROVO, Utah – No. 21 BYU women’s soccer begins 2021 West Coast Conference play as the team takes on San Francisco at the Zions Bank Real Academy in Herriman, Utah on Saturday.

The game will be broadcast on BYUtv, as well as on the radio on BYU Radio 107.9 FM, with audio play-by-play also streaming on the BYU Cougars app and at BYUCougars.com/LiveRadio.

IN THE RANKINGS. BYU is ranked No. 21 in the TopDrawerSoccer national rankings after falling to No. 4 UCLA and No. 10 USC, and having its game against San Diego postponed. The first National Soccer Coaches Association Poll will be released later this month, following the first couple weeks of play.

LAST TIME ON THE FIELD. After a back-and-forth battle, the Cougars fell to No. 10 USC in overtime, 4-3, on Monday, Feb. 15 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Bella Folino had two goals for the Cougars, while Rachel McCarthy scored one and had two assists.

No. 21 BYU (1-0-2, 0-0-0 WCC) vs San Francisco (1-0-1, 0-0-0 WCC)

• Saturday, Feb. 27, at 5 p.m. MST, at Zions Bank Real Academy
• Steaming: BYUtv, BYUtv App
• Radio: BYU Sports Network/BYU Cougars App/107.9 FM
• Radio play-by-play: Jarom Jordan

THE DONS. USF is coming off nearly two weeks of postponed games, against Stanford and Gonzaga. The Dons last time on the field ended in a tie at Saint Mary’s. USF struck early, but failed to score again in the remainder of regulation and through two overtimes, forcing a 1-1 draw. San Francisco finished the 2019 season with an 10-8-2 overall record and 3-5-1 in WCC play.

COUGARS VS. DONS. BYU was victorious 2-1 in a thrilling overtime game, the last time the Cougars and Dons met on Nov. 2, 2019. In the 102nd minute, SaraJane Affleck received a cross and one-touched the ball into the back of the net to end the game and keep BYU undefeated on the season. BYU leads the all-time series 8-2-0.

SPECTATORS. Due to state and local health protocols, spectators are limited to family only until further notice.