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PROVO — Finally.
Nadia Gomes scored twice, and freshman Cameron Tucker added a second-half goal as the BYU women’s soccer team held on for its first home win of the season, 3-2 over visiting Kansas in a Monday matinee match at South Field.
And the relief in Provo was palpable.
“I was pumped,” said Gomes, who scored her team-high third goal of the season. “I just wanted the clock to run faster. But we were so excited, and hopefully it keeps coming.”
BYU (2-4-3) picked up its first win of the year just a week ago, a 3-0 result at Oregon State, during a brutal opening stretch that saw the Cougars play seven Power 5 conference opponents in their first six matches — including five-straight against the Pac-12.
“It’s been a long time,” BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood said. “The challenge was to come out and win the first half. Kansas put in a sweet goal, but the kids battled back, we got some nice momentum, and Nadia came through for us.”
The Cougars outshot the Jayhawks 24-10 — including 11 shots on goal — but the Jayhawks (5-3-1) didn’t make it easy.
The Big XII visitors rode a three-match winless streak into Provo, but picked up an early goal through Eva Eliasdottir. The Icelandic defender ripped a 40-yard strike into the upper right corner in the third minute that was the fastest goal scored at South Field since former BYU star Ashley Hatch scored in the second minute of a 5-2 win over Tennessee, Sept. 2, 2016.
But Gomes would not be denied.
If you aren’t in front of @byusoccer_w@Nadia_Gomes06, you are in trouble. #BYUwSOC#GOALpic.twitter.com/BOVfH1iSKI
— BYU Cougars Video (@BYU_Video) September 18, 2017
The senior who prepped at Brighton High poured in six first-half shots, including the equalizer on a cheeky left-footed shot inside the far post in the 29th minute. Stephanie Ney whipped a long clearance into Kansas’ defensive half, and Gomes did the rest shortly after dropping into an attacking midfield role from her usual forward position with a collection of deft footwork and a shot from the edge of the 18-yard box.
“I dribbled up the field, shot it, and saw the goalie misplaced,” Gomes said. “I knew I could put it in the other corner.”
Gomes then gave the Cougars their first lead at home in 2017 in the 41st minute. After Madie Lyons Mathews earned a penalty kick via a handball in the box, Gomes calmly stepped up to the spot and converted into the bottom right corner to give the Cougars a 2-1 halftime lead.
Madie Siddoway nearly made it 3-1, but her shot from inside the box in the final seconds of the half rattled the crossbar and out past the end line.
Cameron Tucker added to the advantage in the 65th minute. The Lone Peak product took a pass from Mathews, who intercepted the ball at midfield, and drilled a shot into the left side netting for the 3-1 advantage.
“She’s building with each game. She scored a great goal in Tucson for us, and gave us some positive minutes,” Rockwood said of Mathews. “That’s what we need.
“Everyone who came off the bench today gave us some quality minutes, and that’s what we need in playing two games in a week.”
With five minutes remaining, KU’s Grace Hagen took advantage of an open goal and netted a score that pulled the Jayhawks within 3-2 in the waning moments of the match.
But the visitors could get no closer.
Maddie Dobyns made five saves in goal for the Jayhawks, while BYU goalkeeper Hannah Clark collected three saves.
“We got 21 shots off, and that’s more like BYU soccer at home,” Rockwood said. “I thought we were really dangerous, and could’ve gotten a couple more.”
Notes
BYU improved to 3-1 all-time against the Jayhawks, including a 1-0 win in Lawrence, Kansas in 2007. … KU entered the match winless in three, including back-to-back losses to No. 25 Utah and No. 10 Texas A&M. … The Cougars won their first game of the season, 3-0 at Oregon State last week before a 2-1 overtime loss at Arizona. … After scoring just three goals in their first five matches, BYU has scored four goals in four matches dating back to a 1-1 tie with the Utes. … The Cougars close non-conference play Friday against Utah Valley before opening West Coast Conference play against San Diego.
