BYU women's soccer season comes down to 90 minutes against one of sport's best

PROVO — Everything that BYU women's soccer has done this season comes down to this week.

The first-of-its-kind No. 1 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches poll. The runner-up finish in the Big 12 regular season and conference tournament. Most importantly, the Cougars' 19-2-3 record and No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for only the second time in program history.

All of it was for this moment Friday when sixth-ranked BYU will host No. 3 North Carolina — one of the bluest of blue bloods in the collegiate game — with a spot in the NCAA College Cup semifinals on the line at a sold-out South Field (6 p.m. MST, ESPN+).

At least it's at home, right?

"It's huge, and it's one of the goals they had this season coming in, was to play well enough to earn a one or a two seed and have that advantage," BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "South Field is so electric, and it's one of the best atmospheres in college soccer, with fans that support the program and the team; I know that gives them a lot of energy and a lot of confidence.

"Getting that No. 1 seed and knowing that we would have home games as long as we got the job done means a lot — and says a lot about what this team has accomplished this year, to be one of the top-four teams in the country. We played a very competitive nonconference and did well in our new conference in the Big 12. That led us to this point, and has led us to the opportunity we see."

The Tar Heels won't give it up easy, though.

North Carolina — led by former U.S. women's national team coach and Latter-day Saint convert Anson Dorrance — are among the best in the country, both annually and in 2023.

The Heels (13-1-8) have an all-time record of 147-17-5 in the NCAA Tournament, including a 30-1-2 mark all-time in the quarterfinals en route to 12 national titles.

While BYU will be looking for just its second-ever College Cup appearance, North Carolina is the only team to appear in all 42 NCAA tournaments and has appeared in the semifinals 31 times, including four of the last five years.

Like BYU, the Tar Heels are 3-0 in the NCAA Tournament — but with an aggregate score of 5-1 over Towson, Alabama and Texas Tech. North Carolina has not allowed a shot on goal in wins over the Crimson Tide and Red Raiders — both seeded teams.

The Cougars have their hands full with a team that boasts three players — Maycee Bell, Isabel Cox and Julia Dorsey — who have played on three College cup teams with two runner-up finishes.

BYU has experience, too, including 11 seniors, most of whom advanced to the NCAA championship final in 2021 — a group anchored by midfielders Brecken Mozingo and Jamie Shepherd. It's a big reason why the Cougars are in the quarterfinals instead of Utah State, USC or Michigan State.

Shepherd holds the program's all-time record for appearance with 105, while Mozingo leads the team in assists (14), goals (13) and shots (81).

The former UCLA transfer who starred locally at Alta High is one of five players with 10 or more goals on the team, a list that includes senior Olivia Wade-Katoa, fellow UCLA transfer Ellie Walbruch, Allie Fryer and Erin Bailey, who has done all of her damage as an impact sub.

"We can score in a lot of different ways, and I think that gives the team a lot of confidence, to go through all of the momentum shifts that happen in games and learn to fight back through some of those tough times," Rockwood said. "Last year, maybe we weren't able to put th ball in the back of the net and if we didn't get results, it was disappointing. This year, the team has come a long way, led by Brecken and our seniors — and I believe we have the deepest bench we've ever had. … That's been a huge part of our success this year."

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