A penalty kick in the first half was enough for BYU to secure a 1-0 win over No. 4 UCLA in women’s soccer at South Field in Provo, Utah. The match drew a sold-out crowd as the Cougars improved their record to 2-0-1.
The decisive moment came in the 14th minute after video review led officials to call a foul on UCLA’s Grace Shank against BYU’s Mika Krommenhoek inside the box. Ellie Walbruch converted the penalty, sending her shot to the right of UCLA goalkeeper Daphne Nakfoor. Nakfoor guessed correctly and got a touch on the ball but could not keep it out.
Despite trailing early, UCLA put pressure on BYU throughout the game, outshooting them 19-11 overall and recording 12 shots in the second half alone. However, only three of those were on target. The Bruins’ best chance came late in the match when Lexi Wright’s bending shot in the 84th minute forced a diving save from BYU keeper Paiton Collins. Earlier, Emma Egizii had another opportunity with a lofted shot that Collins tipped over the bar. Val Vargas recorded UCLA’s first shot on goal in the 40th minute.
BYU nearly doubled its lead in the second half after a corner kick, but Nakfoor made key saves on headers by Avery Frischknecht and stopped further attempts with help from defenders Jennie Immethun and Grace Shank.
Nakfoor ended with two saves while Collins had three for BYU.
This marks UCLA’s second straight loss by a score of 1-0, both coming against ranked opponents.
The Bruins (1-2) will return home to face Long Beach State on Friday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.
