Mattyn Summers-Oviatt scored BYU’s first goal of the match, while true freshman Brynnli Tolbert scored the game-winning goal in her first collegiate game.

The Cougars won at Wallis Annenberg Stadium for the first time since 1998, snapping UCLA’s 10-game winning streak in season openers. BYU now leads the all-time series 5-4-2 against the Bruins.

BYU outshot UCLA 14-10, including a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Cougars also held a 4-3 edge in corner kicks. In an aggressive matchup, four yellow cards were issued, two to each team, while the teams combined for 31 fouls.

First Half

The first match of the regular season had an aggressive start, with BYU receiving two yellow cards in the opening 10 minutes.

The Cougars applied pressure early, recording the first shots of the game from Afton Perry and Mia Goettsche, both missing just over the crossbar. Although UCLA held possession, BYU continued to press with two more shots.

The Bruins recorded their first chance after a run down the left side led to a takeaway from the Cougar backline. The resulting shot was scooped up by BYU goalkeeper Chelsea Peterson.

In the 25th minute, BYU earned its first corner kick of the game. Avery Frischknecht got her head on the ball, and Goettsche followed with a finish into the goal. However, the goal was called back on an offside, keeping the score 0-0.

Freshman Brynnli Tolbert drove the ball up the left side in the 30th minute, with her pass ricocheting off a Bruin defender and falling to Goettsche. Goettsche recorded BYU’s first shot on frame, but UCLA’s goalkeeper made the save.

The Bruins responded in the 33rd minute with a ball played behind the Cougar defense, creating a one-on-one opportunity with Peterson. The shot missed wide right.

UCLA took a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute after winning the ball near midfield and sending a pass behind the Cougar backline, sliding the ball into the lower-left corner of the goal.

Mika Krommenhoek forced a save from the UCLA goalkeeper in the 42nd minute. An immediate giveaway by the Bruins’ backline gave Summers-Oviatt an opportunity to equalize. Summers-Oviatt, who scored BYU’s lone goal against UCLA in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, finished with her left foot to tie the game at 1-1.

BYU’s final opportunity of the half came after Krommenhoek was fouled at the top of the 18-yard box. Utah transfer Bella Woods attempted to curl the ball around the UCLA wall, but her shot missed wide right.

BYU entered the locker room with a 7-3 advantage in shots. The teams combined for 17 fouls in an aggressive opening half.

Second Half

UCLA earned the first corner kick of the second half in the 48th minute, but BYU’s defense cleared it away. The Bruins followed with another shot that was saved by Peterson.

BYU quickly had two opportunities of its own, earning a free kick just outside the 18-yard box and a corner kick but was unable to capitalize on either.

In the 54th minute, Tolbert won the ball on the right side and fired a shot that was saved by the UCLA goalkeeper.

The Bruins earned a free kick from the top of the box in the 57th minute, but the attempt sailed high over the crossbar.

Presley Freeman was fouled in the 60th minute, giving BYU a free kick on the left side. Walbruch flicked the ball on with her head, sending it off the post. As players battled for the rebound, Tolbert poked the ball over the sprawling keeper and into the net to give BYU a 2-1 lead.

In the 69th minute, Goettsche headed the ball inside the box, forcing the UCLA goalkeeper to dive to make the save.

Woods came up with several key defensive plays, blocking two UCLA shots and clearing away two Bruins crosses in the 72nd and 76th minutes.

Emma Hamberlin took a corner kick for BYU in the 78th minute, finding Frischknecht, whose header hit the crossbar and went out.

The Cougars continued their offensive pressure as Sophie Sivulich flicked a ball by Peterson on to Goettsche, whose shot was denied by UCLA’s keeper in the 81st minute.

In the 88th minute, UCLA saw its final chance on goal with a free kick missing just wide right of the goal.

Up Next

The Cougars continue their road trip against another Big Ten opponent Wednesday, Aug. 19, when they travel to Wisconsin. The match will stream on B1G+ at 6 p.m. MT.