In the face of an overwhelming juggernaut Thursday — UCLA entered Provo as the undisputed leader of the sport, ranked first in the nation — No. 7 BYU defended its home turf and shook the status quo.
BYU took down the defending champions, 3-1, with all three of its goals being scored by subs.
The Cougars embodied the confidence of their 5,209 faithful, of whom poured boisterously into South Field Thursday night. In the 24th minute, BYU striker — and UCLA transfer — Ellie Walbruch used her first minute in the game to run under a well-weighted pass from left winger Kendall Petersen and loft a shot over charging Bruin keeper Neeku Purcell. She, and the crowd, wheeled away in celebration well before the ball crossed the goal line.
Ellie with the golden touch👏 pic.twitter.com/adC4hxVd4Z
— BYU Women’s Soccer (@byusoccer_w) September 1, 2023
A similarly audacious strike helped double the Cougars’ advantage minutes before halftime, as Petersen again skirted past her defender down the left flank, only this time finding the right boot of Rachel McCarthy. Her thunderous 25-yard effort left Purcell equally helpless as it surged into the top-left corner of the net.
The Bruins clawed one back ten minutes after the halftime break. Defender Ayo Oke robbed the ball from…
