BYU overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to defeat Kansas State 2-1 at South Field Friday night.
Two second-half goals from sophomore midfielder Afton Perry and senior defender Bella Woods helped the Cougars earn their first victory after trailing at halftime this season.
BYU had several chances to take the lead in the first half but ultimately it was Kansas State who scored on the brink of halftime. After a great save by senior goalkeeper Chelsea Peterson, Lauren Moylan’s cross was headed in by the head of Adelle Frances in the 43rd minute.
During halftime, BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood challenged the team to push forward and convert the chances they were creating.
“We got after them a little bit, but just told them that we’ve played really well,” she said. “We know that we can keep the ball, and that if we do that, things will open up and opportunities would come up.”
BYU took full advantage early in the half after Emma Kneff was fouled just inside Kansas State’s half of the field.
Lucy Kessler drilled the free kick into the box, where Perry was there to head the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper to level the score in the 53rd minute of play.
The Cougars then continued to push for a second goal, creating several dangerous chances. They were rewarded with a penalty after a handball was called against Kansas State after a lengthy video review.
This was the second video review for a handball, after an earlier penalty shout was deemed not a handball against Kansas State.
Woods confidently strode up to the spot and converted it into the bottom-left corner to give BYU the lead in the 61st minute. It was a special moment for Woods as it was her first goal for the Cougars.
“Being in the back makes you really eager to go get a goal,” said Woods. “But the offense has been doing their job, so it’s been really good.”
Woods was a force both offensively and defensively, as the senior defender made several crunching tackles to stop multiple Wildcat attacks.
That physicality was necessary as Kansas State was physical from the opening whistle, committing 13 fouls to BYU’s 6.
“You have to go into those games matching their level of physicality. If you don’t go in hard enough, you’ll get more hurt,” said Woods. “It feels so good when you get to stop a play.”
The victory concluded an undefeated homestand for BYU, winning all three of their games at South Field.
Rockwood hopes the three straight victories will give the Cougars momentum as they will play four of their next five games and the road.
“This was a very important game for us going into a long week on the road against some great teams,” Rockwood said.
With the win, the Cougars improved to 7-2-2 on the season and 3-0-1 in Big 12 play.
They will travel to Morgantown to face West Virginia on Thursday.