It took everything BYU had to get past Utah State in the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday night in Provo, as the Cougars outscored the Aggies in penalty kicks 7-6 to keep their season from coming to an end.

BYU advanced to the second round of the NCAA women's soccer tournament after beating Utah State in a penalty shootout Friday night at South Field.

As the BYU women’s soccer team gathered for the penalty kick showdown against Utah State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, Cougar junior defender Izzi Stratton told her teammates to get into their “power stance.

Izzi Stratton converted her second penalty kick after extra time, and BYU goalkeeper Chelsea Peterson made three saves in the shootout to help fifth-seeded BYU advance.

This motto for the BYU women's soccer team has worked wonders recently, and it didn't stop with a win in the 11th round of penalty kicks over Utah State on South Field Friday night. The Cougars gave it their all and more, winning a gritty game against their in-state rival Utah State Aggies to advance to the round of 32 in the NCAA tournament.

U.S. News & World Report placed 14 Utah colleges and universities in its new 2026 rankings, with Brigham Young University and the University of Utah at the top.

The Red Raiders’ domination of the Cougars was just the latest example of how Texas Tech is on a different level.