Texas Women’s Soccer Says Goodbye with Big12 Championship

The University of Texas Longhorns women’s soccer team came out strong, then took it to a higher level, to defeat the Brigham Young University Cougars 3-to-1 to win the Big 12 Championship.  The match was Texas’ last in the Big 12, as they move to the Southeast Conference. 

The win brough Texas their first championship since 2007 and comes with an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament. 

It is said that the first five minutes of a contest is emotion; the remainder is played with skill.  Texas topped BYU in both emotion and skill. 

The Longhorns grabbed the lead less than two minutes into the match as Lexi Missimo finished a cross from Ashlyn Miller.  BYU evened the score five minutes later when Olivia Katoa set-up Brecken Mozingo for the goal.   

Texas pushed for the remainder of the first half, squelching any BYU attempts to mount an offense. 

The Longhorns continued to press in the second half.  A mistake by Olivia Smith, tripping Trinity Byars in the penalty box, setup a penalty kick that was converted by Missimo in the 55th minute. 

Texas added an insurance in 76th minute when Holly Ward found the back of the next unassisted. 

The Longhorns continued to press the Cougars, largely confining them to their half of the pitch, despite a two-goal buffer.  

Texas ended the evening with three goals on five shots on target, and 14 total shots.  BYU put up one goal on seven shots on target with 12 total shots. 

“I think we were more mature,” said Texas coach Angela Kelly.  “It shows how the team has grown when you figure out how to defend higher up the pitch, and our counter-pressing was fantastic.”