facebook-pixel

BYU heading back to the College Cup after four-goal comeback over North Carolina

BYU women’s soccer beats UNC after biggest comeback in 20 years.

(Trent Nelson  |  The Salt Lake Tribune) Head coach Jennifer Rockwood during a BYU soccer practice in Provo on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Head coach Jennifer Rockwood during a BYU soccer practice in Provo on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023.

BYU women’s soccer is heading back to the College Cup.

Behind an improbable four-goal, second-half comeback at South Field, the Cougars beat North Carolina 4-3 to advance. It was the biggest comeback in 20 years, according to the NCAA, and puts BYU two wins away from its first national title.

BYU fell behind 3-0 within the first 20 minutes. But in the final 29, the Cougars pieced together four goals. Bella Folino scored twice, including the team’s first in the 61st minute.

Leading goal scorer Brecken Mozingo added one in the 81st minute. The game-winner came off of Olivia Wade-Katoa’s foot in the 89th minute.

Three of BYU’s goals came in the final 10 minutes.

Head coach Jennifer Rockwood’s group last made the College Cup in 2021 — when it lost in penalty kicks in the national championship game.

This was Rockwood’s fifth Elite Eight appearance and her second win there. BYU lost in the Sweet 16 last year to North Carolina on the road.

The Cougars will play Stanford on Dec. 1.

Support free news for Utah

sltrib.com is now free to access — no subscription required. We made this decision because we believe access to trustworthy, independent news shouldn’t depend on what you can afford — especially as misinformation and AI-generated content continue to rise.

Free to read doesn’t mean free to produce. Our reporters show up every day to ask hard questions and hold powerful institutions to account. That work takes resources. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from people who believe it matters. Make a donation today to fund local news that serves Utah communities.

You can help us bring more local news to more communities today.