No. 25 USC Women's Soccer Drops Road Match at No. 24 BYU

PROVO, Utah – The No. 25 USC women's soccer team dropped its first road contest of the year to No. 24 BYU on Thursday night, falling 2-1 to the Cougars in front of over 5,000 fans in Provo.
 
The Cougars scored twice in the first half, but USC was able to pull one back late and make the final six minutes of the game tense. The Trojans start the season 0-2 with the loss, while BYU moves to 2-1 with the victory.
 
USC was on the attack early and Simone Jackson just barely missed an attempt deep in the box in the 13th minute, but the Cougars quickly got out on the counterattack and Brecken Mozingo fired home a shot to put the home team in front.
 
Late in the first half, Mozingo would send a free kick into the box that was headed home by Bella Folino for what ended up being the game-winner.
 
After USC was not awarded a penalty on a controversial challenge midway through the second half, the Trojans finally did get a PK chance when BYU committed a handball in the box in the 84th minute. Croix Bethune stepped up and knocked it in off the right post for USC's first goal of the season.
 
The Trojans threatened late, with Jada Talley getting a couple of quality shots off, but USC was unable to equalize on the road.

Anna Smith also did her part to keep the Trojans within striking distance, stopping a PK by BYU in the 33rd minute.
 
GOALS
13' – BYU: Brecken Mozingo (assisted by Olivia Wade) – After a near miss by the Trojans, BYU got out on the counterattack, with Wade finding Mozingo near the top of the penalty area and Mozingo firing home a shot into the upper right corner.
 
40' – BYU: Bella Folino (assisted by Brecken Mozingo) – Mozingo sent a free kick in from the right side and Folino headed home the cross deep in the box.
 
84' – USC: Croix Bethune (PK) – The Trojans earned a corner and on the kick BYU was called for a handball, giving the Trojans a penalty kick.
 
UP NEXT
The Trojans stay on the road for a matchup with Utah Valley on Saturday. That game can be seen live on ESPN+ with links to follow available on the soccer schedule page at USCTrojans.com.