BYU Women’s Soccer Falls To FSU On Penalty Kicks In National Championship

PROVO, Utah – The magical run for BYU women’s soccer in the 2021 NCAA Tournament doesn’t end with the storybook finish. Instead, it closes with heartbreak.

No. 4 BYU held No. 1 Florida State falls to the Seminoles in penalty kicks. The final score was 0-0 (4-3 in PKs).

FINAL@FSUSoccer takes down @byusoccer_w in penalty kicks (4-3).

Seminoles are National Champions.#BYU #GoCougs #WCollegeCup

📷: @BYUphoto pic.twitter.com/cViIN9dQKo

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 7, 2021

Florida State senior midfielder Yujie Zhao buried a kick in the fifth round of penalty kicks to give the Seminoles their third National Championship in program history.

“Just really proud of the way we competed tonight and the way we represented our team, our school, and our conference. Happy that we made it this far; love this team and love these girls,” said BYU women’s soccer coach Jennifer Rockwood.

A historic season. Still so proud of our Cougs. 💙

— BYU Women's Soccer (@byusoccer_w) December 7, 2021

Here’s a recap of what happened during Monday night’s National Championship.

1st Half

BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood wanted her team to be aggressive against the technically sound Seminoles. Maybe BYU was just a touch too aggressive, especially in the eighth minute.

Cameron Tucker's goal (8') is waived off due to an offsides penalty. #BYUwSOC #WCollegeCup #BYU @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 7, 2021

Senior forward Cameron Tucker had a goal waved off by officials due to an offsides penalty that was a close call. It appeared on replays that the call could have gone either way.

The match was a defensive game as each squad only had two shots. BYU had one on goal.

During the 32nd minute, BYU lost an All-American midfielder due to an injury. Colohan, one of the program’s all-time leaders in goals scored (58) had to be helped off the field by trainers. She was instantly given ice packs to place on her leg.

3-time All-American, Mikayla Colohan, is up on her feet walking around gingerly w/ an ice pack on her shin.

Questionable to return for @byusoccer_w in the 2nd half of the Nat’l title match. Awaiting updated word from team trainers but early prognosis is a deep shin bruise.#BYU

— Spencer Linton (@Spencer_Linton) December 7, 2021

Both teams went into the half scoreless at zero.

Halftime of the @NCAASoccer National Championship@byusoccer_w – 0@FSUSoccer – 0#WCollegeCup #BYU #GoCougs

📷: @BYUphoto pic.twitter.com/q0s2pwrCOR

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 7, 2021

2nd Half

Late in the second half, both BYU and Florida State had a pair of close calls. In the 77th minute, Ellie Maughan had a shot just above the goal.

Then in the 83rd minute, Florida State had a corner kick that nearly put them in front. FSU attempted a shot that went to the face of defender Grace Johnson. She had to leave the field with medical trainers after the shot she took from the kick.

Neither team was able to take the lead, so for the second consecutive match, BYU was set to play another game in overtime.

Let's go to Overtime!@byusoccer_w – 0@FSUSoccer – 0#BYU #GoCougs #WCollegeCup

📷: @BYUphoto pic.twitter.com/XmoiXwNIPu

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 7, 2021

Overtime

Neither team could produce a goal in two 10-minute overtime sessions.

Penalty Kicks

Florida State edged out BYU 4-3 in penalty kicks to claim their third National Championship.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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