No. 22 BYU women's soccer concluded its conference road trip with a 1-0 victory over Cincinnati on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at Gettler Stadium. Senior center back Bella Woods scored the decisive goal on a free kick in the second half, handing the Bearcats their first home loss of the season during their first-ever meeting at the venue.
Woods Secures Decisive Goal
The victory was bolstered by a significant performance from junior goalkeeper Paiton Collins, who recorded four saves in her first start of the season. According to BYU Athletics, those four saves doubled her season total and helped the Cougars secure their fourth shutout of the year. The match, which saw both teams struggle to find rhythm in the opening minutes, saw BYU outshooting Cincinnati 15-11 overall, including six shots on goal to Cincinnati's four.
Defensive Stand and Momentum
The breakthrough arrived in the 51st minute when teammate Emma Neff drew a foul just outside the penalty area following a dribble move toward the middle. Woods took the direct kick, bending the ball around a wall of Bearcat defenders and into the bottom right corner for her second goal of the season. This scoring effort came after a period of sustained pressure from the Cougars, who had dominated possession and time of possession for much of the first half.
Road Trip Conclusion
Cincinnati attempted to respond with late pressure, but the BYU defense remained disciplined. Sophomore Mia Goettsche provided a scoring opportunity for Afton Perry in the 74th minute, but her shot was blocked by a Bearcat center back. Per reporting from Herald Extra, Cincinnati managed only two shots in the final 25 minutes of play as the Cougars maintained control to seal the win. BYU now holds an 8-3-2 record and a 4-1-1 record in Big 12 play.
Earlier Season Success
This recent victory follows a significant home win for the Cougars on Sept. 24, 2026, when BYU defeated No. 23 UCF 3-1 at South Field. That victory, which marked the team's first win over a Big 12 opponent this season, saw goals from Mia Goettsche, Afton Perry, and Mika Krommenhoek. As The Daily Universe reported, the win against UCF helped the team improve to 4-0-1 at South Field and helped the offense find rhythm after losing star forward Ellie Walbruch to injury during a previous match against Colorado State.
Offensive Development
During the Sept. 24 match against UCF, sophomore Afton Perry and Mika Krommenhoek each recorded their first goals of the season. Krommenhoek, who led the team in assists during the previous two seasons, scored a header in the 78th minute to extend the lead. The Cougars' performance in that match was characterized by an aggressive offensive approach, with Krommenhoek noting that the team had placed significant emphasis on shooting and creativity in practice.
Looking Ahead
The Cougars are scheduled to return to South Field to face the No. 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. The match will be available for streaming via ESPN+.
Season Outlook
The BYU women's soccer team enters their next home match with an overall record of 8-3-2. Their recent performance highlights a defensive strength, having recorded four shutouts this season, and an evolving offensive rhythm following mid-season roster challenges.
