After taking down rival Utah Valley in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, BYU traveled to Chapel Hill, NC to battle Pac-12 champion Stanford on Thursday.
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In a battle of regional heavyweights, it did not take long for a goal to be scored in a match that was expected to feature a lot of offense.
In the fourth minute, Olivia Wade drove the ball down the middle of the field and fired a shot from distance that beat the Stanford keeper at the right post for a 1-0 lead.
After grabbing the lead, the Cougars faced an onslaught of shots from the Cardinal as they attempted to get back into the game.
Stanford finally broke through in the 22nd minute when Jasmine Aikey found the back of the net to even up the score.
The game reached halftime with an even score, although there were plenty of chances for both sides to add goals.
The second half produced more chances for both teams, but the score would remain 1-1 and move into overtime. After a pair of scoreless 10-minute overtime periods, the match headed to a penalty kick shootout to determine who would move on to the Round of 16.
With the shootout even at 4-4, BYU keeper Taygan Sill stepped up to save a Stanford attempt.
Great save Taygan Sill ( @TayganSill )@byusoccer_w pic.twitter.com/itlbLditWi
— Antonio Garcia (@Iruk_WomenSport) November 17, 2022
Needing to convert their next kick to advance, Cougars forward Ellie Maughan stepped to the penalty spot. The junior calmly slotted the ball in the opposite direction of the keeper and into the back of the net to secure BYU’s spot in the next round.
ELLIE MAUGHN WITH ICE IN HER VEINS
SECURES THE MARATHON VICTORY FOR @BYUSOCCER_W OVER STANFORD!!!
BYU ADVANCES TO THE ROUND OF 16 IN CONSECUTIVE SEASONS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY pic.twitter.com/4tWbkGZQjI
— Daily Universe Sports (@DailyUnivSports) November 17, 2022
Despite being outshot 33-22 by Stanford, BYU edged the Cardinal in shots on target, 12-10.
The win was a historic one for the Cougars, last season’s national runners-up. Until beating Stanford, BYU had never reached the Sweet 16 in back-to-back seasons despite 23 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Up next
The sixth-seeded Cougars will now prepare for the winner of the North Carolina vs. Georgia matchup in the Sweet 16.
The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 9:30 a.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN+.
College soccer: BYU takes down UVU in NCAA Tournament action
