BYU defeats Utah 2-1 behind Fryer’s third career brace

The BYU ROC student section chanted “Olé, Olé, Ole!” and “This is our house!” as BYU women’s soccer got back in the win column Monday night, defeating Utah 2-1 at South Field in Provo, Utah.

“It is always a battle and I’m really proud of how our team stayed with it tonight,” said BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood. ”I thought we played really well and fought hard. We are getting smarter and I like the changes that we made. I thought we were very dangerous."

For junior Allie Fryer, she now has two braces (two goals in the same game) and two wins against Utah.

Fryer also recorded career brace number three. Her first goal of the season came on a header in the 57th minute off a corner kick from freshman Lucy Kesler that gave BYU a 1-0 advantage.

Fryer had success against the Utes last season when she also scored two goals in the Cougars 6-2 victory.

“Something about them makes my blood boil, and I need to score like nothing other,” said Allie Fryer. "They’re a good competitor, they played an awesome game … Oh yes, it's personal, we had to win this one at South on our home field.”

It would also be the first career start for freshman Kesler, who enrolled early forgoing her senior high season and reclassified as a member of the 2024 recruiting class.

Prior to Fryer’s goal, Utes defender Kasey Wardle would have the save of the match keeping the score 0-0 in the 53rd minute as BYU freshman midfielder Mika Krommenhoek had a clear look to score her first career goal, but was denied.

Fryer led the team in shots with seven and shots on goal with five. Krommenhoek was right behind her with our shots and two on goal.

A lack of communication and decision-making between BYU goalkeeper Lynette Hernaez and defenders Mattyn Summers and Avery Frescknet would cost BYU in the 63rd minute, as Utah equalized.

The Cougars played a ball to the backline and it cost them as midfielder Katie O’Kane charged a misplay ball and chip it over Hernaez to notch the match at one apiece.

“We made one mistake in the game in the back and it cost us. The girls didn’t let down, fought back, and got that goal,” said Rockwood. “At TCU when that happened, we kind of settled a little bit. Really proud of the way we responded to that.”

When it comes to rivalry games, expect it to be extremely physical and on Monday night it was. 13 fouls were called, eight on the Utes and five on the Cougars.

Two of those fouls came from Utes forward and leading goal-scoring Taliana Kaufusi.

Kaufusi has also scored two hat tricks this season. BYU defenders Mattyn Summer and Ella Rustand marked all game, holding her to two shots all game, none being on frame.

“The first thing we wanted to do was avoid service to her. She is very dangerous,” said Rockwood about how they held Kaufasi to no shots on goal.

Kaufusi has yet to score a goal in Big 12 play.

On Fryer’s second goal, she didn’t have to move an inch. Emma Hamberlin found the Utah native in the center of the 18-yard mark and buried a shot past Utes goalkeeper Kasey Wardle, as the Cougars regained the lead.

“It came in so fast from Emma, and it just put that baby in,” said Fryer. “As long as it goes in. She has some nice crosses, when she gets them off you know they're going to be good. Hats off to Emma.”

Utah hasn’t won in Provo since 2007.

"We struggle in this environment. BYU does a really good job of bringing this environment and making this a tough place to play,” said Utah coach Hideki Nakada. “We were not able to play and be ourselves so to speak and that’s the most disappointing thing.”

BYU hosts No. 12 Oklahoma State at home on Thursday at South Field. The game will be televised on ESPN +.