Krommenhoek's first career brace helps No. 4 seed BYU advance to Big 12 semifinal

No. 4 seed BYU shut out No. 5 seed Oklahoma State 5-0 in the quarterfinals of the Sprouts Farmers Market Big 12 Tournament on Saturday morning at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Cougars' five goals was a season-high.

“Just getting out to a great start,” said coach Jennifer Rockwood. “I think it’s the earliest morning I’ve ever played. The girls were ready and excited to play. We got out to a good start. Scored some nice goals. It’s something we haven’t done consistently over the season so to get to this great start is fantastic.”

Freshman Mika Krommenhoek scored her first career brace of her collegiate career followed by an assist.

Juniors Allie Fryer and Mackenzee Vance also scored in the contest.

BYU controlled the possession battle on the pitch from start to finish. The Cougars’ press defense applied immense pressure on the Cowboys backline and Krommenhoek would be rewarded from it.

The 5-foot-8 midfielder from Mapleton, Utah was on fire scoring both of her goals in the first half.

Krommenhoek tailed her first goal in the second minute of the match, taking one of her shots on goal inside the 18-yard box to give BYU 1-0 lead.

It wouldn’t stop there as three minutes later the former junior Female Athlete of the Year at Maple Mountain High School would score again in the 5th minute

Referee Corey Rockwell issued a yellow card to Oklahoma State forward Logan Heasuler in the 9th minute and things got out of hand for the Cowboys after that.

Fryer added her goals just seven minutes apart in the 22nd and 29th minute.

It’s a new career high 11 goals in a single season for the All-Big 12 First Team. With another brace, Fryer now has three on the season and the fifth of her career.

Vance scored her sixth goal of the season in the 48th minute.

The junior transfer dribbled around two defenders and laced a shot in the air to the far-side of the box, finding the back of the net over the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Grace Gordon.

“Our backline has been really tested all season,” said Rockwood. “They have come a long way led by Avery Frischknecht in the back. …Keep attacking, and getting better for this next game.”

The biggest save of the tournament so far came from Hernaez in the 60th minute as the Cowboys were awarded a penalty kick. The 5-foot-11 sophomore guessed right and shut the door keeping a clean slate on the stat sheet.

With help from the backline, BYU goalkeeper Lynette Hernaez remains perfect, not allowing goals in quarterfinal rounds.

Prior to the start of the 2024 Sprouts Farmers Market Big 12 Championship Oklahoma State only gave up eight goals all season. The Cougars scored half of that to end the Cowboys season.

Deja vu for the Cougars (in a good way) as last season in the 2023 Sprouts Farmers Market Big 12 Tournament the team earned a 6-0 shutout win over Oklahoma. That team went on to play in the Big 12 championship game, earned a No. 1 in the NCAA tournament and made it to the semifinal of the College Cup.

Rockwood took over the program in 1995. Following Saturday’s win in her 30th season head coach of the Cougars, Rockwood recorded the 463rd win of her career.

With the win BYU advances to the semifinal round of the Sprouts Farmers Market Big 12 Championship. The Cougars will face the winner of the No. 1 seed TCU/No. 9 Colorado on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 4:30 p.m. CT.

The match will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.