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BYU freshman Lucy Kesler (right) celebrates scoring her first career goal with teammate Allie Fryer in a Big 12 women's soccer match against Houston at South Field on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU freshman Lucy Kesler (33) celebrates after scoring her first career goal against Houston in a Big 12 women's soccer match at South Field on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU's Mika Krommenhoek (right) fights for the ball with a Houston player during a Big 12 women's soccer match at South Field on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU's Allie Fryer (center) dribbles the ball against Houston in a Big 12 women's soccer match at South Field on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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Senior Night hits a little different when you only have three seniors on the roster.

The BYU women’s soccer team is in the midst of a youth movement, and Monday’s 3-0 victory against Houston at South Field highlighted many of those talented underclassmen.

Still, the contribution and hard work of seniors Tara Warner, Savannah Hansen and Lytiana Akinaka cannot be overlooked.

“Last night, we had an opportunity to celebrate our seniors,” BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood said. “We do that the night before our last game a video and all of our parents and family. Liddy (Akinaka) has been with us since 2018 between a mission and an ACL injury. She’s had quite a journey. She’s just a great kid and has worked so hard. It was really great to get her out here and let her play her final game on South Field.

“Tara came here in 2020 and has struggled with injuries. She was finally free and ready to go (this season) and had such a great start for us. She was one of our top players when she got hurt again. That was tough for the team and for her.

“Nan (Hansen) has just been with us for a year but she grew up on this field as a young kid. We’re happy that she was able to finish here and great to see her get some minutes tonight.”

Warner was a starter until an injury derailed her final season after eight games and is majoring in Physical Education teaching/coaching K-12. Hansen (Economics) and Akinaka (Business Administration MBA), who have played sparingly this season, logged 25 and 25 minutes, respectively, in their final home game.

BYU dominated the run of play from start to finish against Houston.

Junior Allie Fryer, who scored twice in last week’s 3-3 tie with Baylor, lit up the scoreboard first for the blue Cougars in the 14th minute. Sophomore Addie Gardner sent a service into the scoring area and Fryer knocked it down, settled her feet and buried a wide open look directly in front of the goal for a 1-0 BYU lead.

Freshman midfielder Lucy Kesler scored the first goal of her career in the 32nd minute, taking a pass from Gardner and working free for a left-footed blast to the far post and the blue Cougars led 2-0 at halftime.

“I got it from the right side and had a defender on my back,” Kesler said. “I turned and I was right at the top of the box. So I thought, I might as well take the shot. I’ve really been working for it. I really wanted to score the past three games so I hit and I knew it was going in. I got super excited.”

BYU outshot Houston 15-6 in the first 40 minutes, putting ten shots on frame to the red Cougars’ three. BYU might have had an even bigger lead but for the hard work of Houston goalie Maggie Manning, who tallied eight saves in the first half.

Sophomore Avery Frischknecht got in on the fun in the 52nd minute, heading in a nice pass from junior Sierra Pennock for a 3-0 BYU lead.

The blue Cougars came close to scoring a season-high fourth goal but had three shots go off the crossbar in the second half.

BYU finished with a 29-8 advantage in shots with 16 on frame to Houston’s five. Manning finished with 13 saves for the red Cougars. Lynette Hernaez had five saves and paired with Kelsey Hoopes for the shutout in goal for the blue Cougars.

Houston dropped to 4-11-1 overall and 1-9-0 in Big 12 play.

BYU (7-5-5, 5-2-2 Big 12) closes the regular season on Friday at No. 18 Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are tied with 8th-ranked TCU atop the Big 12 standings with identical 8-0-2 records.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Rockwood said. “They had a great season last year and they’ve had some injuries (this year), but they’ve really pulled it together.We hope to give them a good challenge. They have a great atmosphere and a lot of fan support. They’ve been playing some good soccer. I’ve never been there (Lubbock), so It’ll be a first time for me as well.”

BYU will then prepare for the Big 12 Tournament, which will be held in Kansas City at CPKC Stadium October 30 through November 9.