PROVO, Utah — In front of a record crowd, 5,735 fans, BYU fell 1-0, to No. 1 UCLA at South Field on Friday night.

“I’m really proud of how our team battled tonight,” BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. “We knew we were up against an amazing opponent. I thought we did a fantastic job with our defense, holding a team like UCLA to one goal and being inches away from tying the game up a couple of times. I just think we have come a long way in the last week.”

This was the first time in BYU women’s soccer history that the Cougars have hosted the No. 1 ranked team in the country.

The Bruins came into the game having scored a record 17 goals in four games and the Cougars were able to hold them to only one, making it UCLA’s lowest scoring game of the year.

The only goal of the game was scored in the 16th minute of the game. UCLA junior Hailie Mace recorded her fifth goal of the season with a shot into the top left corner of the goal past BYU goalkeeper Hannah Clark.  

The Cougars continued to put pressure on goal in the first half. In the 27th minute, Nadia Gomes got a shot off from the 18-yard box. The ball ricocheted off the UCLA keeper’s hands and Elise Flake ripped the ball towards the goal but missed by only inches.

Going into halftime, BYU was trailing with six shots on goal to the Bruins 10.

In the second half, neither team was able to get the ball into the back of the net but both teams had multiple opportunities to score.

Nearing the 79th minute, Gomes had a breakaway opportunity and was one-on-one with the UCLA keeper. She took a touch with her left foot and rocketed the ball towards the goal but it hit the crossbar on its way out of bounds.

The Cougars hit the road to take on the No. 21 University of Colorado at Prentup Field on Monday, September 4 at 1:00 PM MDT. The game will be broadcast live on the PAC-12 Network and can be heard live on BYU Radio (Sirius XM 143), ESPN 960 AM and on byucougars.com. 

PROVO, Utah — The BYU women's soccer team hosts No. 1 UCLA this Friday at South Field.

BYU vs. UCLA Game Notes

BYU Storylines

The Cougars tied Cal State Fullerton 1-1 last Friday at South Field. Senior forward Avery Walker scored BYU's lone goal in the 26th minute to put the Cougars ahead before Fullerton quickly answered with a goal of their own. Sophomore Elise Flake recorded the assist on the goal. Goalkeeper Hannah Clark recorded five saves and Lizzy Braby led all shooters with three shot attempts, including one on goal.

After dropping out of the polls this week, BYU continues to look for their first win of the 2017 season.

UCLA Storylines

The Bruins clinched the No. 1 spot in the NSCAA Coaches poll this week after beating Santa Clara 4-2 and UC Santa Barbara 3-1. Seven players have managed to find the back of the net to combine for the Bruins' 17 goals. Juniors Hailie Mace and Julia Hernandez have four goals apiece.

UCLA has scored three or more goals in all four of its games so far in the 2017 season but has not earned a shutout.

Game Information

• Friday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. MDT, at South Field
• TV: BYUtv
• TV Talent: Spencer Linton (play-by-play), Natalyn Lewis (analyst), Lauren Francom McClain (sideline)
• Radio: BYU Radio (Sirius XM 143) and ESPN 960 AM
• Radio Talent: Jason Shepherd (play-by-play) and Paige Barker (analyst)
• The first 1,500 fans will get a free t-shirt and the first 1,500 students with their ROC pass will get a free freezer pop

Series Information

The series is tied 2-2. The Cougars fell to the Bruins in penalty kicks in the 2010 College Cup.