Impact sub: How 'EB7' became No. 1 BYU soccer's top target from the bench

PROVO — Erin Bailey's mindset doesn't change, whether she's in the starting lineup for No. 1 BYU women's soccer, scoring lethal goals off the bench, or making friendship bracelets for her family members, close friends and teammates.

The 5-foot-5 sophomore from Layton High was the top scorer in Utah 6A girls soccer in 2020 and 2021. But when she got to campus, she had to adjust to a new role: impact sub.

It wasn't easy for the rising talent teammates call "EB7."

Bailey played in 12 of 21 games during the Cougars' 11-3-7 campaign that ended in the round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament. She registered just one goal on 16 shots, adapting to the speed of play of the college game over a patience-enduring 251 minutes.

"I was trying a little too hard to make something happen," Bailey said of her freshman season. "This year, I've got a little more confidence and experience under me. I think now I'm just trying to play my game with the team, and the team is setting me up wonderfully. I'm just able to tap it in most often."

Less than a year later, things have changed for the Cougars' leading scorer. Bailey has five goals in six matches, all off the bench, and the confidence befitting of the No. 1 team in the country by the United Soccer Coaches.

The sophomore's five goals have come on 18 shots, 10 of them on target, including three goals last week in wins over then-No. 1 UCLA and crosstown rival Utah Valley.

"Erin has so much energy, so much personality," BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "I'm so proud of the way she's playing right now; she's come a long way since last season. She's just finding a groove, playing with confidence, making good decisions, and she's our leading scorer on the team. That says a lot of her mindset and what she's bringing to our team right now."

The Cougars (6-0) have done plenty of scoring through the sub card.

Olivia Wade Katoa, a starter, has the second-most goals on the team with four (to go along with two assists). Fellow starters Bella Folino and Brecken Mozingo also have three goals, and senior outside back Kendell Petersen leads the team with six assists.

But in addition to Bailey, subs make up 10 of BYU's 22 goals this year, including three from Ellie Walbruch and another from Rachel McCarthy.

Bailey credits the senior leadership, from Katoa, Folino and Mozingo to center back Laveni Vaka and midfielder Jamie Shepherd, for setting the standard and helping young players like her live up to it.

"We've been working a lot on getting into those positions to make it easier (to score goals)," Bailey said. "Last year, we were trying to get those harder shots off and not get in position to make it easy. This year, we've been working on our off-the-ball movement and setting ourselves up to score better goals."'

The synchronicity was on full display against Utah Valley, where Bailey had her first career brace after following the lead of Mozingo, who scored her third goal of the season in the 11th minute on an assist from fellow senior Folino.

"I think our starters did a fantastic job of getting the game going," Rockwood said. "Then our bench came in and, like they've done all season, continued to give us some really good minutes."

BYU continues nonconference play Saturday at archrival Utah. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MDT on Pac-12 Plus, before returning home for the program's first-ever Big 12 home tilt with former Mountain West rival TCU next Thursday, Sept. 14 at South Field.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MDT on ESPNU.

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