BYU Women’s Soccer Reaches Big 12 Championship Game
BYU women’s soccer is on an impressive journey as they approach the Big 12 Championship Game. The Cougars will face the Kansas Jayhawks in an exciting matchup on Saturday.
Road to the Championship
BYU entered the tournament as the No. 8 seed after a challenging regular season, finishing with a 4-5-2 record in league play. Their remarkable path began by overcoming the top-seeded TCU Horned Frogs, who ranked fifth nationally.
- Quarterfinal Match: BYU triumphed over TCU in a penalty shootout, despite being outshot 23-9.
- Key Players: Ellie Walbruch scored two goals in regulation and contributed to the penalty shootout success alongside Mackenzee Vance, Izzi Stratton, and Lucy Kesler.
- Goalkeeping Highlight: Chelsea Peterson made a significant impact in her first start, recording eight saves.
Semifinal Success
In the semifinals, BYU continued their impressive performance against the No. 5-seed Baylor Bears. They secured a 4-0 victory, marking a significant achievement against a rival that had recently defeated them.
- Dominant Display: This was Baylor’s first match of the season in which they conceded four goals.
- Walbruch’s Brilliance: She scored two more goals, becoming the first player since 1996 to achieve consecutive braces in the Big 12 tournament.
- Additional Scorers: Mattyn Summers-Oviatt and Ella Labrum also found the net.
Upcoming Championship Game
BYU’s impressive journey has led them to their first Big 12 Championship Game appearance since 2023. They aim to become the first No. 8 seed to win the conference title since 2012.
The championship match is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. MST at the Kansas Jayhawks’ home ground. A victory would mark the Cougars’ 19th conference title. Fans can tune in to watch the game on ESPN+.
