The BYU women's soccer team opened its 2026 campaign with a commanding 5‑1 exhibition victory over Idaho State on Saturday, August 8, at South Field in Provo, Utah.
From the first whistle, the Cougars asserted control, striking three times within the opening eleven minutes. Afton Perry opened the scoring in the sixth minute, and just three minutes later she doubled the lead, finishing a swift move that began after a blocked shot.
A flurry of early goals
Mika Krommenhoek orchestrated the early onslaught, delivering precise assists that set up Perry’s first strike and later teeing up Presley Freeman for the third goal. The rapid succession left Idaho State scrambling and gave BYU a 3‑0 advantage before the half‑hour mark.
The offensive barrage continued into the second half. Ellie Walbruch added a second‑half marker in the ninth minute after a cross from Freeman, while Kate Fuller capped the scoring in the 66th minute with a skillful dribble past two defenders to claim the fifth goal.
Idaho State managed to pull one back in the 48th minute, but the Cougars responded immediately with a goal in the 49th minute to restore a three‑goal cushion. The final tally finished at 5‑1, underscoring BYU’s dominance.
Statistically, BYU outshot the visitors 22‑3, with 10 of those attempts on target, reflecting a high‑tempo, high‑precision approach. Goalkeeper Chelsea Peterson was rarely tested, allowing only a single goal.
Looking ahead
The exhibition performance serves as a strong prelude to the Cougars’ season opener against No. 9 UCLA at Wallis Annenberg Stadium in Los Angeles. The match is scheduled for Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. MDT and will be streamed live on Big Ten Plus, offering fans a first glimpse of the team’s chemistry and depth.
Head coach and players alike praised the early cohesion, noting that the chemistry displayed against Idaho State should translate into competitive play when the schedule officially begins. With key contributors Afton Perry, Mika Krommenhoek, Presley Freeman, Ellie Walbruch, Mia Goettsche and Kate Fuller all finding the net, the Cougars appear poised for a promising season.