The Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars secured a hard-fought victory over the Utah State Aggies in the first round of the NCAA tournament on March 15, 2024, in Provo. After a tense match that concluded in a 1-1 draw, BYU triumphed in a penalty shootout, outscoring the Aggies 7-6, allowing them to advance to the second round of the tournament.
A Battle of Rivalry
BYU’s head coach, Jennifer Rockwood, anticipated a challenging encounter, stating, “We knew it would be a battle. You could never count Utah State out.” The match proved to be a true test of endurance, extending well beyond the regular 90 minutes as both teams showcased their determination and skill.
Entering the tournament on a strong note, both teams had recently claimed their respective conference championships. The Aggies finished third in the Mountain West Conference and secured the title by defeating top-seeded Boise State. Meanwhile, BYU made history by winning the Big 12 Conference tournament as the eighth seed, demonstrating remarkable resilience, particularly in their victory over TCU in a previous penalty shootout.
Rockwood noted the confidence within her team, attributing their success to the experience gained during the previous shootout. “I just felt with this group that they were pretty confident,” she remarked. “We just kind of kept the same order from that TCU shootout.” That strategy ultimately proved effective.
Clutch Performances
Key to BYU’s success were junior defender Izzi Stratton and junior goalkeeper Chelsea Peterson. Stratton made a crucial contribution by scoring two penalties, including the decisive 11th shot that clinched the victory. “It goes back to your preparation,” she said. “I feel like I’ve taken probably hundreds of PKs just in my front yard, and so when it really counts, it’s just muscle memory.”
On the other end, Peterson excelled during the shootout, saving three penalties and employing psychological tactics to unsettle the Aggie shooters. “My role is to create chaos and make the shooters’ mind turn to goo,” she explained, showcasing her commitment to her team’s success.
During regular play, BYU initially took the lead in the 19th minute with a goal from freshman midfielder Mia Goettsche, whose left-footed shot found the back post. The Cougars entered halftime with a 1-0 advantage, and Rockwood expressed optimism for a potential second goal. “I thought we’d probably get another one,” she said.
However, Utah State quickly shifted the momentum after halftime, with senior forward Tess Werts assisting sophomore Mia Mullenmeister to equalize in the 53rd minute. After that goal, neither team could break the deadlock, leading to 20 minutes of extra time followed by the nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
This defeat marks a frustrating continuation for Utah State, now holding a record of 0-5 in NCAA tournament matches and 0-3 against BYU. Head coach Manny Martins acknowledged the disappointment but remained optimistic about the future. “We’ve learned so much through this season,” he said, highlighting the team’s potential as they look ahead to next year.
With this victory, BYU advances to face the winner of the upcoming match between UCLA and Pepperdine. Earlier this season, the Cougars managed a narrow 1-0 win against the Bruins, while their last encounter with the Waves dates back to 2022.
